Ardbeg Kildalton 46% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (83)

An NAS version, so probably very young, from both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. It’s said that it’s not one of those very lightly peated Kildaltons such as the 1980 and 1981 from a good ten years ago. Colour: pale gold. Nose: I find this baby very clean, straightforward, sooty and ashy, with some sour lemon juice and plain seawater in the background, as well as just a touch of honey and peach syrup, just to make it a little rounder. It does not reek of VV (vulgar vanilla, eh), which is great news. Maybe also a little supermarket smoked ham (or liquid smoke). Mouth: starts rather sweet and gentle, hinting more at Coal Ila, before it gets a little smokier and ashier. Kippers and smoked ham again, a little pepper, a little mustard, then a little ginger from the oak. Herbal liqueur, drops of Fanta. I find this palate pretty simple and a little disappointing after the very nice clean nose. Finish: of medium length, with some sawdust and tea, then pickled gherkins and smoked fish. Fades away rather quickly. Comments: rather thin on the palate, while the nose was promising. May lack texture and body. I have to say I prefer the Ten, by far.

Gal Granov (90)

Nose: very gentle. Whiffs of sweet peat on top of layers of fruit: apricot and grape. Sweekild_bottlet creamy vanilla and hints of pepper and sea spray. Bits of new leather and tar. One of the lightest Ardbegs I’ve ever had recently. So different than recent releases. Lovely.

Palate: Mouth coating and oily. The initial impact releases quite a bit of phenols , with a true Islay character of tarry ropes, pepper, coal soot and earth, mint too. with a bitter continuation of double espresso , crushed coffee beans and smoke.

Finish: Espresso. Tar. Pepper and mint. Dry and bitter burnt sugar.

Bottom Line:

Although it’d love to see this getting bottled over 50%, it’s really a beautiful Ardbeg in my view. Not the peaty monsters we’ve been getting recently, but a more gentle (yet peated), creamy sort of Ardbeg. The nose is really brilliant here, some would call it subdued, but it’s all about complexity and finesse. well done Ardbeg. Worthwhile hunting if you’re an Ardbeg fan.

Words of Whisky (86)