Review #80: Images of Islay "Kildalton Cross," Malts of Scotland, 53.2%, 195 bottles

out of practice

I've been sidelined with a cold, but I think everything tastes normal again. It probably isn't a good idea to start with something mysterious, but here is something from Malts of Scotland's "Images" series. This one must be an Ardbeg, unless it isn't. That would make it my only indy Ardbeg, unless it's not. It's NAS.

A big whiff of salted butter and toffee, and then the blast of dark smoky peat. It does smell like young Ardbeg -- somehow green and spirity, but then tarry and really really briny peat. Not particularly medicinal. The faintest traces of grapefruit and oysters and some linseed oil and wet wool. Sterno.

Palate is salty and tarry and surprisingly hot -- this is young. Finish is extremely long and ashy. Some sweetness comes through, but then gets confused and leaves because it feels like a coal fire has been put out on my tongue. Charred wet dog at the end. A terrier if I had to guess.


There have been bunches of really young peat monsters out recently. This is one of them, but not one of the most successful. It's good, but neither balanced nor outrageously bold. Mostly coal-fired dog.


score: 83