Scotland, Isle of Islay. Distillery operational. Owner: LVMH - Diageo

Founded in 1815 by McDougall & Co. in the south-east of Islay, near the Kildalton Cross, Ardbeg's malt was for a long time overshadowed by its neighbours and competitors Lagavulin and Laphroaig.It was under the patronage of the McDonald family (Glenmorangie Plc), who bought the distillery in 1997, that it was able to develop its potential and introduce the public to the treasures sleeping in its vaults. Between September and November 1997, no less than three bottlings - two of which would become great classics - were released on the market, the Ardbeg 17 Year Old, Ardbeg 1978 and Ardbeg Provenance 1974. The following decade was rich in single cask, cask strength bottlings matured in sherry and bourbon casks, each more impressive than the next. And it was dressed in a new green bottle with confident Celtic-Gothic aesthetics that Ardbeg flooded the market for fans of malts dominated by aromas of smoke, peat and tiger balm.

Every year, Ardbeg releases a new limited edition to celebrate Ardbeg Day, and Kelpie is the bottling for 2017. From the vaults and casks steeped in the refreshing sea breeze to the waves that crash against the port, the Ardbeg distillery has always had a close connection to the sea. Legend has it that many mysterious creatures live off the coast of Islay... Like the Kelpies, water beasts that take the form of a bull or horse, with hair of kelp and seaweed. This limited edition from the Ardbeg distillery was aged in virgin casks assembled from oak grown and felled near the Black Sea.