This brand-new bottling in the Fishes of Samoa series from Archives says ‘distilled at a Kildalton distillery’ on the label. Those are the Southern distilleries on Islay (Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Port Ellen).
Even though the distillery remains undisclosed, it’s mostly Ardbeg which often refers to the nearby Kildalton Cross (e.g. Ardbeg Kildalton). But there’s also a small chance of being Lagavulin.
Kildalton 7 yo 2007 (54,4%, Archives ‘Fishes of Samoa’ 2014, hogshead #9396, 170 btl.)
Nose: high-strength and quite medicinal. Tarry notes and wet wool. Burnt heather and hay. A little lemon skin and hints of apples. A bit of marzipan as well. Very clean, rough, quite simple.
Mouth: sweet attack, quickly joined by some thick peat smoke, peppercorns and sweetened lemon juice. A tad youngish, but this is Ardbeg alright. Liquorice and earthy notes with touches of creamy mocha towards the end.
Finish: long but a tad more gentle again. Some grapefruit, salted anchovies and an earthy / ashy end.
This Kildalton 2007 is fairly narrow on the nose, but has a wider and thicker body. A bold whisky, slightly overpowering but a nice chance to try a young Ardbeg at cask strength. Available from the Whiskybase shop for € 68.
Score: 87/100