New Ardbeg

This is at least the second usage of the name by Ardbeg. Ardbeg named 1980 distillate bottled in 2004 Kildalton also.

This new one sounds quite a bit different from Jim Murray's description of the earlier one.

@Pandemonium Thanks for the heads up!

@Victor is correct that this is a “re-used name” for Ardbeg (running out of name ideas?). Originally, the Kildalton referred to unpeated Ardbeg distilled in 1980 and 1981 (there were two official Kildalton vintage releases in 2004 and 2005 in the peat pack). Supposedly, some of this unpeated spirit was used in the 17yo.

So this new “Kildalton” sounds like something totally different . . . kind of like Uigeadail (bourbon, 1st and 2nd fill sherry casks?) . . . “firm, smoky, but creamy” . . . could this be Supernova style peated Ardbeg? The rumors of Supernova SN2014 for the fall are out there . . . I wonder if they decided to take a different marketing direction? I find it hard to believe that they would release 3 different limited editions in one year! After all they have to save up something special for next years bicentennial celebration (1815-2015).

That I hope enough of it makes it to the states . . . for all us Ardnuts.

The odd thing is that the extended news release was not initiated by Ardbeg.

I like that they are doing something back for the community and it's not that much of a corporate sell-out as the Auriverdes, as it will initially only be available at the distillery. Yet again, just like with the Auriverdes, at £120, that's two bottles of Uigeadail. For that kind of money, this whisky better be something special. I will be in Yorkshire in July maybe I'll take the long drive up to Islay for a quick hit and run on the Southern Islay distilleries.

thewhiskykirk.com/2014/06/…

Kildalton is the Celtic cross standing at an desereted Church not far away from the destillery. I have tasted the old one, and thats a 90 Points whisky at least!@Nock

All commercial maneuvers... the most part of their whiskies are not better of those of tens of other brands. Each year Ardbeg pulls out a new whisky for dupe with a "new product" the whisky drinkers. A simple range does not sell, but a stupid bottle with a elusive "new gold liquid" is quickly sold out. Not one is maintained in the regular range!

(I hate Ardbeg)

@RicketyCricket Unfortunately, your comment is not very objective. Ardbeg can irritate you by commercial overhype, i understand. But their whiskies are really far better than most of actual production. Last year Ardbog was delicious and unique.

I didn't care much for Ardbog or this year's difficult to spell offering (with a Brazilian name) either.

This said, I have my Ardbeg faves and the 10 year is quite consistent. I have three bottles of Uigeadail from pre2012 stashed away. I only wish there were still older Ardbegs to be had.

I agree on one point: all of the fancy commercial packaging and gimmicks cannot take the place of well made scotch. I've tasted Ardbeg Day, Ardbog, and the latest one. Personally, I like Uigeadail more than all of them put together, especially at cask strength. Uigeadail doesn't have any fancy advertising campaigns either. Yes, it was better when Ardbeg was able to mix in older casks, but even now it's still quite good.