Ardbeg – Kildalton (2014) (70cl, 46%)

Ardbeg – Kildalton (2014) is a single malt whisky from Ardbeg (Islay). Bottled at 46% ABV, 70cl. Known for its outstandingly smoky drams, the Islay Distillery, Ardbeg was founded by John McDougall in 1815 after taking out a licence. Just under a century later, the name 'Ardbeg' and signature 'A' was registered as a trademark, an iconic recognisable logo for the distillery. Further on in the 20th century, the distillery started outsourcing, using a peated malt from the nearby Port Ellen Distillery in 1974 just before Ardbeg was mothballed for the first time in 1981. Reopened again by Allied Distillers in 1989, it was not long before the distillery was closed for a second time, however, the Glenmorangie Company saved the day by purchasing Ardbeg just before both Glenmorangie and Ardbeg became part of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. Being awarded World Whisky of the Year more than once, the distillery will continue to succeed, with the plans submitted of increasing the distillation capacity by adding not one, but two more stills in 2018, Ardbeg is only going upwards from here. Ardbeg Kildalton is a limited release that celebrates the ancient Celtic Kildaton Cross on Islay, which is 1200 years old. This cross is only 5 miles away from the Ardbeg distillery and is steeped with history. Kildaton was matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Sherry casks and bottled at 46% ABV with no chill-filtration. This bottle was only sold at the distillery in 2014 and comes with a stunning lined presentation box.