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Ardmore
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Ardmore, Traditional Cask (Scotland)
Ardmore distillery is located at Kennethmont, on the eastern fringes of Speyside, and for far too long almost all of the single malt from this large, eight-still plant has disappeared into the Teacher’s Highland Cream blend. Formerly owned by Allied Distillers, Ardmore is now part of Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc, and as this whisky has long been a personal favourite, it is very pleasing to see an innovative ‘house’ bottling appear on the market.
Ardmore enjoys a comparatively high level of peating for a Speyside whisky, and Traditional Cask has been matured initially in ex-Bourbon barrels and hogsheads before receiving a second period of maturation in hand-made quarter casks. This bottling carries no age statement, but the small, quarter casks are a proven way of adding maturity to spirit because of the higher level of contact with the wood.
Smoked haddock and butter on the nose, plus sweet, fruity malt and spices. Sweet and initially creamy on the palate, spices, peat smoke, tobacco and vanilla emerge and blend together. Water releases ripe fruits and accentuates the peat. The finish is long and mellow. An excellent balance of sweetness and smoke. Speyside whisky as it used to be!
Available currently in duty free, but in specialist UK retailers from September 2007. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £25 (approx), Duty Free & Travel Retail, specialist whisky merchants.  |  |
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