Limited numbers of bottles of this whisky are landing in NZ, here’s when & where to find them

Extending the annual Islay Whisky Festival – Feis Ile – in Scotland slightly, Ardbeg Day will be celebrated in New Zealand on Saturday June 3. The celebrations stretch across the country in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. There will be celebrations along with the official release of the limited edition Ardbeg Kelpie for purchase, paired canapes as well as games and prizes. Presumably these games include Whisky Pong, but that’s only a guess.

This year’s limited release of Ardbeg Kelpie is the first bottling to be matured in Black Sea casks, which are renowned for imparting a unique intensity to the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt whisky. There are a strictly limited number of bottles being sent to New Zealand, so these are going to be hot items to pick up for about $186.

According to the tasting notes, Kelpie begins with an intense aroma of oily peat, smoked fish and hints of seaweed, followed by a rich crescendo of treacle coffee, smoky bacon and lots of dark chocolate. The finish seemingly lasts forever with deep flavours of clove, tar and toffee.

WHERE TO GET INVOLVED

House of Whiskey, 38 Courthouse Lane, Auckland, Saturday June 3, 11am-5pm

The Jefferson, 7 Fort Lane, Auckland, Saturday June 3, 7.30pm-10pm

Regional Wine, Beers & Spirits, 15 Ellice Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington, Saturday June 3,
11am-4pm

Whisky Galore, 834 Colombo Street, Christchurch, Saturday June 3, 9.30am-5pm