ARDMORE - Traditional Cask

Ardmore Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Peated

Traditional Cask - matured for a final period in small 19th century style 'Quarter Casks'

Non-Chill Filtered 46% Alc/Vol

Package Taste notes:

Full, Smooth, Peat-smoke and earthy richness, tempered by Subtle Sweetness.

Package Background notes:

Founded in 1898 by one of Scotland's most famous whisky families, Ardmore has a long commitment to quality. William Teacher was a believer in traditional distilling methods and insisted that Ardmore only used the aromatic smoke from natural, Highland peat fires to dry our malted barley.

Sadly, today, the high cost has meant that only one Highland Distillery still routinely 'peats' its standard malt. Ardmore is rightly proud to be that distillery. Our traditional methods extend to maturation. Ardmore Traditional Cask is double matured, first in the usual oak barrels and then in much smaller 'Quarter Casks'. These were common in the 19th century but are too costly for most distillers to use today.

Finally, bottled at 46% ABV, Ardmore is only barrier, rather than chill, filtered thus preserving the natural flavours. These method insure we maintain the quality of our uniquely complex and rewarding malt whisky.

Package Mild Disclaimer:

Ardmore is non-chill filtered. This may cause it to go cloudy when water is added. This is perfectly natural for a non-chill filtered whisky.

Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch comments:

House Style - Malty, creamy, fruity, after dinner

COLOUR - Gold

NOSE - Rootsy, savory, wet vines, bamboo, vanilla, toffee

BODY - Medium-full, savory

PALATE - A delicatessen of savory flavours, olive and artichoke, waves of grungy peat;

oily, full and demanding

FINISH - Delightfully peaty, briney, long and full

SCORE - 82

NorvellHimself's Take on Ardmore:

One last update about one month later (25 Apr '12) - have tried the Ardmore several times in the last month and it continues to grow nicely on me - it will not displace my favorite two or three but it will definitely be replaced when empty!

Well last night (29 Mar '12) I poured about a finger and a half of the Ardmore.  It was not at all what I had anticipated for to me the promise of 'peat-smoke' and 'Delightfully peaty' was not fulfilled although the 'waves of grungy peat' did seem somewhat apt.  But it was good - a little difficult for me to like at first but certainly not bland.  Deep and dark, heavy and a great hotting finish, long after I swallowed I could with every inhale feel that strange darkness firing along my tongue and throat - it grew on me as I sipped.  Tonight I will give it another go and see if the Ardmore will grow even more on me.   Definitely worth a place on my shelf but it's only for the true single malt lover.

And yes the second glass was much better - it hadn't changed but my mind was more receptive this go-round.  In fact the 'Subtle Sweetness' of the package notes really shone through nicely  - but the rest of my first comment still holds.  Deep, dark and heavy and the finish, even though probably driven by the 46% ABV, was as great as before with all the flavours just echoing in pleasant firings as I inhaled.  It's moving up my scale. 30 Mar '12.

Original post - I haven't opened the bottle yet - although it is hard to restrain myself (27 Mar '12)  -  also photo of Ardmore will be forthcoming this evening (still undecided whether to pic the bottle or the package).  I am hoping that this is as good as I expect  - like a true Scot I was feeling good to think that I might have got a great scotch for under $50 U.S. for the prices have been sky-rocketing these past few years.