Ardbeg Kelpie en Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release

Ardbeg, the renowned distillery from the island of Islay, is famous for its bold and smoky single malt whiskies. In 2017, Ardbeg released a very special limited edition called Ardbeg Kelpie, named after the mythical water spirits from Scottish folklore. At the same time, an even more exclusive version of this whisky, the Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release, was made available to members of the Ardbeg Committee, a global fan club for the most dedicated Ardbeg enthusiasts.

In this blog, we will explore the background of both the Ardbeg Kelpie and the Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release, the differences between the two editions, their unique flavor profiles, and the influence of their distinctive maturation processes. We will also discuss the significance of the Ardbeg Committee and why Ardbeg continues to surprise with such bold releases.

The Legend of the Kelpie

The name 'Kelpie' refers to a mythical figure from Scottish folklore: a magical creature believed to dwell in Scotland’s waters, often described as a water spirit that can shape-shift. Kelpies were often feared, as they were said to lure travelers to their doom, much like sirens in other cultural myths.

The use of the name Kelpie is not just symbolic. Ardbeg is located on the rugged coastline of Islay, an island known for its strong maritime ties. The whisky itself is deeply intertwined with these oceanic influences, both in terms of flavor and character, something that is strongly reflected in the naming of Ardbeg Kelpie.

The Whisky Itself: Ardbeg Kelpie

Ardbeg Kelpie is a limited edition whisky first released in 2017 to celebrate Ardbeg Day, an annual event that takes place during the famous Feis Ile festival on Islay. What sets this whisky apart is its maturation process. Ardbeg Kelpie is aged in a combination of traditional bourbon barrels and rare new oak casks from the Black Sea, which imparts a unique flavor profile that echoes the rugged sea and Ardbeg’s characteristic peat.

Tasting Notes for Ardbeg Kelpie:

• Nose: A complex nose with layers of smoke, peat, sea salt, and tar, combined with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, and spices like black pepper and clove.
• Palate: The taste begins powerfully with an explosion of smokiness, but quickly evolves into richer, deeper notes of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and maritime influences such as seaweed and salt. The new oak adds a subtle note of spices and leather.
• Finish: Long and complex, with lingering smokiness and a subtle saltiness that reminds you of Islay’s sea breeze.

What stands out about Ardbeg Kelpie is the balance between its bold peat smoke and the elegant sweetness enhanced by the Black Sea wood influence. The combination of traditional Islay elements and the novelty of the Black Sea casks makes this whisky both familiar and surprising.

Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release: What’s the Difference?

In addition to the standard Ardbeg Kelpie, a special version was released for members of the Ardbeg Committee, a worldwide network of dedicated Ardbeg fans. The committee was founded in 2000, when Ardbeg’s future was uncertain, to support the distillery and give its fans a voice. Committee members often get the chance to sample new editions before they are available to the general public, and they have exclusive access to special releases like the Kelpie Committee Release.

The Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release is essentially a stronger version of the regular Kelpie. The key difference lies in the alcohol content; while the standard version has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 46%, the Committee Release is bottled at a much higher strength of 51.7%. This higher alcohol content amplifies the flavors, making for an even more intense and robust experience.

Tasting Notes for Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release:

• Nose: Similar to the standard Kelpie, but with an added intensity in the peat smoke, more pronounced spice notes, and a stronger presence of briny, maritime influences. Fruity notes like green apple and citrus are also more noticeable.
• Palate: The Committee Release is even more powerful and concentrated. The smoke is thicker, the sea salt notes are more prominent, and there’s a hint of caramel that breaks through the smokiness. The influence of the Black Sea casks is evident in the rich, oily texture and the addition of deep, earthy, spicy notes.
• Finish: Extremely long and full, with a powerful peat smoke character that lingers in layers, accompanied by subtle notes of spices, salt, and leather.

Due to its higher ABV, the Committee Release is often seen as a more intense, deeper version of the standard Kelpie, and is beloved by whisky aficionados looking for a more powerful dram.

The Importance of Ardbeg Committee Releases

Ardbeg’s Committee Releases are one of the ways the distillery keeps its most loyal fans engaged with the brand. These releases are consistently praised for their unconventional approaches and experiments with maturation techniques and cask selection. The Kelpie Committee Release is a perfect example of this: it offers a rougher, more powerful version of the standard Kelpie, showing that Ardbeg is not afraid to push boundaries.

Moreover, the exclusive nature of these releases strengthens the sense of community within the Ardbeg fandom. Committee members not only gain access to rare whiskies, but also feel like they are part of a select group that helps shape the future of Ardbeg. This not only enhances brand loyalty but also creates a sense of ownership and involvement.

The Influence of Black Sea Casks

What truly sets Ardbeg Kelpie and the Kelpie Committee Release apart from other whiskies is the use of Black Sea casks. These casks are made from indigenous oak from the Black Sea region and impart unique qualities to the whisky. The wood from these trees is known for its density, making it less porous than American oak. This leads to a slower interaction between the whisky and the wood, resulting in deeper, more complex flavors.

The Black Sea casks contribute spicy, nutty, and earthy-woody notes to the whisky, which complement the traditional Ardbeg elements of smoke, tar, and maritime influences. It’s a bold experiment from Ardbeg, and one that has paid off brilliantly in the case of Kelpie.

Conclusion

Ardbeg Kelpie and the Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release are two exceptional whiskies that combine the best of traditional Ardbeg flavors with new and surprising elements. The influence of the Black Sea casks brings a unique complexity, while the signature Islay smoke and maritime influences remain ever-present. The Committee Release, with its higher ABV, offers a more intense and robust version of this unique dram, showing why Ardbeg’s experiments with new casks are always exciting.

For whisky lovers, and particularly the dedicated members of the Ardbeg Committee, releases like Kelpie prove that Ardbeg continues to be one of the most innovative and daring distilleries in the world. Ardbeg Kelpie and its Committee Release are not just a tribute to the rich folklore of Scotland, but also to the fearless spirit of the distillery itself.