Ardbeg Kildalton 2014

Five years ago, I started my journey in whisky. It has been a super fun and lovely experience, and now it has reached a beautiful milestone. This, my friends, is my whisky review number 1000. After 1000 whiskies, I can honestly say I have tasted enough from most Scottish distilleries, and, in a very subjective way, I can pick my favorites. My top three would be Glendronach, Talisker, and Lagavulin. The rest of the top ten would be, in no specific order: Ardbeg, Arran, Dalmore, Edradour, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Highland Park. It is awesome to share my reviews with you, and the actual 1000th whisky was an Ardbeg. Tasted at the distillery warehouse, a 2014 special expression, the famous "Kildalton". This one was originally intended only for distillery visitors, and it honors the Kildalton Cross on the Isle of Islay. It is the best-preserved Celtic cross in Scotland, and that makes it a wonderful monolithic structure with historic importance. Bottled at 46% ABV, this special edition has been bottled in bourbon and sherry casks. On the nose, it starts with green apples and the Ardbeg peat, but tamed. Minty, herbal, smoky. It takes time to fully open. Gooseberries. Super fruity and slightly ashy. Very perfumed; it has released a scent of hand lotion. After a first sip, it gave me a vanilla explosion in a fancy, well-delivered way. Vanilla ice cream, coconut, lemongrass. Super complex. On the palate, it is pure perfection. Grassy, herbal. Ashy water in a good way. Not watery, but very grassy. Petrichor. The second sip gave me vanilla and herbal tea. On the third sip, it had a sugary character. Aftertaste is peaty and super enjoyable. Ashy, a puff of smoke. I can only describe it as a herbal powder, if such a thing exists. Cider and metallic notes, copper. Overall, this one is very fresh, minty, and herbal in a very good way. The palate was the absolute highlight of this very rewarding drink. Having said all that, I am so happy that I have reached 1000 reviews; I can finally say that "I have drunk a little whisky". My next step of the journey is to write a book that will contain my thoughts on this great beverage, and of course, I will include all my reviews on it. My score for this single malt is 96 out of 100, but it feels like one thousand! Cheers!

Great whisky; I bought the last bottle on Islay early 2018. Then went back for Feis Ile 2018 and ordered a dram at the Islay Hotel. I did my tasting notes there - really great whisky. I did a full review on this here [video link]. If links fail, go to and you'll see the video there - welcome comments.

An ashtray scent, followed by sweet citrus and peppery spice, with caramel coloring. Chocolate notes, gentle spice, a bitter minty taste. A soft, lingering taste reminiscent of tobacco!

Smells like an ashtray, with candy-like citrus, peppery spice, and a caramel color. The taste is chocolatey, with a mild spicy bitter mint. Leaves a soft, tobacco-like aftertaste!

Noticeably saline initially, the fruitiness and sweetness emerge during drinking, yet the saltiness remains prominent.

Intensely smoky, with sweet undertones of vanilla and fudge. A distinct saltiness is present.