The expression is named after the “Kelpie”, a legendary water demon which is said to live in the Atlantic Ocean and 2017 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.