A rare thing – an Ardmore of considerable age! Even rarer still, this 20 year old is an official bottling.
Historically, and to this day, Ardmore has been used primarily for blending purposes, which means there is not a whole lot of old stock around.
This, however, is a cracker. A classic peated Highlander that really wears its age well. The whisky has been matured in former Bourbon barrels, and ex Islay malt casks, for an extra layer of peaty complexity.
Drinkers can expect healthy helpings of peaty stone fruit, bright citrus, honeydew melon, crisp apple and milk chocolate, all accompanied by a soft, warming peat.
This dram keeps its superb intensity of flavour and creamy mouthfeel, through being bottled at a munificent 49.3% ABV.
This is a great price for a whisky of this quality, and it is wonderful to see Ardmore bottling some older juice.