Ardbeg, the world famous Islay Single Malt Whisky has announced that it will release Ardbeg Kelpie, a virgin Black Sea oak expression for Ardbeg Day 2017.
The expression is named after the “Kelpie”, a legendary water demon which is said to live in the Atlantic Ocean and this year’s Ardbeg Day theme will hence have an underwater theme with events based around the kelpie.
This is the first whisky from Ardbeg to be matured in Black Sea oak which is said to impart “deep flavours”. The wood which is grown and seasoned in the Adyghe Republic in Russia was sourced by Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling. In creating the Kelpie expression, he married the whisky from the Black Oak barrels with traditional Ardbeg aged in ex-Bourbon barrels.
The general release of Ardbeg Kelpie 46% ABV will launch on Ardbeg Day. Ardbeg Committee members can get their hands on a special Ardbeg Kelpie 51.7% ABV release launching on 16 March on the Ardbeg website.