Ardbeg Kelpie Review — A 2017 Playback of the Committee Release vs the ‘Regular’ Keplie

Ardbeg’s annual special releases come in two flavors: Regular, and Committee Release. The latter is typically a few points higher proof, and distributed specifically to the Ardbeg’s fan club and select stores. 

However, sometimes a bottle apparently sneaks through into retail. Back in 2017, I was able to pick this one up in Kentucky the day of its official release. I also seemed to have purchased it at the regular non-Committee Edition price. Miracles do happen!

When Bry Simpson, Canada’s Ardbeg Brand Ambassador, provided me a sample of the regular Ardbeg Kelpie release, I had the opportunity to do a comparison between the two. 

Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release 2017
Category: Single malt scotch, Ardbeg Committee, Peated
Score: 92

Nose: Note os caramel, that empty wine barrel of dry red wine, smouldering fire. Great intensity, nice smoke, strong caramel notes. 

Palate: Sharp spice, dark chocolate and cinnamon spice, with lots of pepper. This beautiful buttery and caramel layer folds beneath all those wonderful spices, and it lasts and lasts into the finish. 

Conclusion: The nose is rich, and the palate is sharp, but it's that long buttery spicy finish that makes this whisky (along with lots of peat, of course) special.

Ardbeg Kelpie 46% ABV
Category: Single malt scotch, Peated
Score: 91

Nose: Peat, char, caramel, and cola pop. Essentially noses like the bark of a tree with a nearby fire. Very nice. Rich. Heavy. Rewarding. There’s real light notes of cinnamon spice. Lacks the chocolate buttery notes of the commissioner’s release. 

Palate: Peppery spice, caramel, and more of a buttery note. Creamy and smoky. The peppery spice is quite beautiful, and the buttery finish helps carry those flavours through the end. The citrus is sharp. Tannins are there. It’s less spicy compared to the commissioner’s release. 

Conclusion: On it’s own, this is a terrific whisky. Just smoky, sweet, salty, and spicy enough. It's balanced really beautifully for an easy complex drinker. 

Overall Conclusion 

The committee’s release has a hint more complexity with the herbal dark chocolate notes, while the regular release is more focused on the salty and spicy elements on the drink. They’re both excellent. The Committee release has the complexity of a rarer complex scotch, while the regular Kelpie is an incredible daily drinker.