Ardmore Traditional

Got this as a gift, and glad I didn't buy it from my own money. When i opened it the cork, which already didn't sit in tightly, started to let off pieces of cork. So my first dram was littered with floating cork crumbs. Not a good sign of quality.

The whisky itself is unmemorable. Just plain whisky the could have easily been passed as a cheap blend. Nothing like a proper Highland whisky. There is a slight hint of peat smoke but it is just sitting there with no context. The predominant taste is toasted cereals. Boring. Looking forward to finish it and get rid of it.

19th September 2020

I am a Talisker 10 regular drinker,so I can compare this Ardmore to just this one.
The Ardmore has a short finish which is spicy rather than hot,peat is missing to me.
However,it is a mildly pleasing interlude in my usual whisky drinking.

6th October 2017

This is a true taste of a fine Whiskey. Thanks to all that made so great , form myself and my friends, Keep brewing.

29th July 2017

Nose: Dry peat, wood smoke, more smoke, and more smoke

Palate: See-saw of peat and smoke

Finish: Seemingly never-ending dry peat and wood smoke

11th June 2017

Ardmore is the signature ingredient in Teacher's Highland Cream, which I have enjoyed for many years as my favorite "daily dram" budget scotch. So when I spotted a bottle of Ardmore single malt on the shelf, I picked it up out of curiosity. It's plenty peaty for those who like that (I do), but young and lacking in complexity.

My verdict: Teachers over delivers as a low cost blend, but the Ardmore under delivers as a single malt. I paid $45 for the bottle, and could have purchased a McClelland's Islay or a Johnnie Walker Double Black for less than that.

5th March 2017

Purchased my first bottle for $38.00. Pleasantly surprised by the smoothness of my first dram. I drink all my single malts neat. This one had a light honey sweetness with a faint heathery nose and then came the peet. Surprised me as it was unexpected. Not nearly as pronounced as that of Laproigh or Ardbeg but welcome none-the-less.

9th February 2017

Of all the whiskys I've tasted, this is my favourite. Beats any $75+ bottle I've had. I recommend to any flavour-eccentric.

4th July 2016

This is my go-to single malt. Although it's relatively new, it's immensely enjoyable and peated just enough to add a depth and dimension an excellent whisky should have. It's powerful and balanced at the same time.

4th May 2016

Way too much peat. Now I know what it must have been like for those poor chumps who were drowned in peat bogs. Ugh.

12th April 2016

A good humble man's dram of the type consumed by generations of crofters, shepherds and fishermen. A dram for any old survivor of the jacobite cause, or even Wade and Caulfield's redcoat road builders, and concrete Bob's men onthe Mallaig extension. Like that world now gone forever.
No nonsense here about cinnamon and after tastes of vanilla or hints of chocolate and spices and other such pretension from auld reekie's new town claret consumers. Drink from God for the plain man at a price for the tenant farmer and plowman.

18th March 2016

I got this at my duty free shop. Very strong. Not my taste.

14th January 2016

Am a big fan of the Islay Single Malts, Laphroaigh in particular, and got this bottle as a Christmas gift. Had never heard about it and wasn't impressed at the first sip. It simply lacks in complexity, but nevertheless offers a quite nice smokiness. The body of this Whisky appears if you add an ever so small dash of water, something I usually never do, but in the case of Ardmore, it works wonders. Having a problem rating this one though, in comparison with other Single Malts, it falls short, on the other hand, adding that dash of water, it's a more than sufficient companion for a dull night at home.

27th December 2015

Maybe a tad to smoked for my taste, but broke the rules and added a single ice cube that did the trick. Even without the ice I would still say its a good drop and easy to drink and would not say it tastes medical at all.

9th December 2015

This stuff is so bad it should be illegal. Gut-wrenchingly awful. I know my malts, and there are many beautiful drams out there at this price, but this certainly isn't one of them. NAS is ruining the good name of Scotch.

24th October 2015

Enjoyed with a drop of water. I would suggest those who say it tastes like TCP aren't fans of peated malts?

2nd October 2015

This is a powerful scotch with a nice balance of medicinal, malty, and heavily peated flavors. Great value

30th August 2015

I'm a serious scotch drinker and like my single malts straight no ice or water. I took one sip and all I tasted was TCP. I be drunk water and this is still lingering on my lips. bought reduced price £16. Cheaper going to boots the chemist !

30th August 2015

Found this originally in Aldi at £25 and often at that price on offer - Easily the best value non training whisky, i.e. 46% as opposed to 40%, for the money. Smooth, balanced with full flavour and good finish. Compared to basic Jura, Speyburn and Auchentoshan there is no comparison - the Ardmore is far better. Would buy and happily drink time and again especially when on offer. The Ardmore legacy is a decent whiskey but not in the same league.

6th August 2015

sorry to query another review but if you find this scotch gut busting and chemical tasting I would, helpfully I hope, suggest your bottle has been tainted by more than just the cork - or that you are not a scotch drinker.

this is a superb malt for those wanting a price friendly dram with a delicate and only delicate smoke taste. it's definitely there but it's no where near as stand out as in an Islay. would buy over and over again. love my islay but this is a different and easily more-ish bride from speys to islays

15th July 2015

Hate to talk price when discussing taste, but prices keep the average bloke from buying and trying. The low price on Ardmore ($32.00), almost kept me from buying it. But the owner, a knowledgeable fellow with one of the best scotch selections I've ever seen, highly recommended this. After my first taste, I wasn't overly impressed. Tonight is my second dram and it is growing on me. I almost always drink all my single malts neat, but tried a splash of water with this and it helped. It has a LITTLE peat but not even close to the Islays (and I love Islay peat and smoke). This is akin to a Springbank with a little more peat. It is very, very good FOR THE PRICE. If it is peat and smoke you love, stick with Ardbeg and Laphroaig. Overall, a pleasant whisky. Cheers.

23rd June 2015

Like a lagavulin but a little more aggresive and less compxlex Very good for the price with 3 drops of water.

29th April 2015

Love it!

22nd March 2015

Got this as a flier at duty free. Very flavorful. I'd say medium peat, medium smoke. I usually prefer lighter scotches but this has grabbed me. Smooth enough that I didn't realize it was higher proof. Would buy again

24th February 2015

Bought for me as a present.this is a very nice drink warming and mellow. My new favourite whisky.

7th February 2015

Had a sip of this and could not drink another drop, it taste is chemical sharp and gut busting.

1st February 2015

I got a bottle as it was only £22 in Tesco. The tube description appealed to my tastes for peaty malts so that swung it.

It's certainly peaty although it has more 'heat' than peaty malts like Laphroaig. This was probably predictable with it being a highland, but there isn't the 'heat' of other Speyside malts like the Glenfiddich.

I've broken protocol by adding a cube of ice and that's made it very palatable indeed. 7 rating and worth buying again.

28th January 2015

I bought this as an entry into peated whisky. Reviews suggested this was gently peated so I thought it was ideal starter. Big mistake. Very strong TCP nose which continued onto the palate. Barely drinkable for me. It has mellowed slighty since the bottle was opened but not enough.
I'll give this 6/10 as it would be unfair to mark it too lowly if it is simply not to my taste.

11th January 2015

Really enjoyed this one. Sweet with a bit of peat. I prefer a a heavily peated whisky, but i also enjoy the speyside whiskies, this bottle is very moreish!

5th January 2015

Peaty with vanilla undertones,whoever thinks this is vile should stick to putting coke in theur drinks

30th December 2014

Tastes like TCP. Undrinkable.Waste of money.

25th December 2014

I wasn't impressed. I won't buying this one again.

21st December 2014

Smooth, rich flavor with a wisp of a smokey scent. My favorite Scotch.

6th December 2014

Picked up a bottle for £16 at Asda and pleasantly surprised. My favourite is Macallan but that's more than double the price. Will compare to Laphroig when I get around to opening that bottle

1st December 2014

Great balance between smoke, peat and sweet bourbon. This is truly exquisite. I suggest drinking this with 2-3 ice cubes and enjoying the way it breaks apart as it dilutes and all the wonderful aromas that are released.

22nd November 2014

So if you don't like your scotch to taste like TCP and smell like burned rubber, don't buy this. FWIW I think this is easily as good as Talikser 12 is these days despite the no-age statement. I don't much like Highland malts though. I don't understand why you'd want to drink this when you can have all the floral delights of a speysider with bourbon or sherry finish. A good one for sipping on the rocks but not sure if it isn't poverpriced @ £26 vs 12 year old offerings of similar ilk.

20th November 2014

As an amateur whiskey lover in far East Hungary, I've found this beautifully formed Traditional Single Malt in a large warehouse as a rearity, never seen in my country. To be honest, truly two parameters on the label: ABV index of 46 plus "... peat smoke notes..." Well, let's see. Having references like Dalwhinnie and Lagavulin - my favourites - on my mind, I tested Ardmore, a newcomer on the market but for sure it stays not a step behind the great names I mentioned above. Thank you, Scotland for your brilliant products reahing so far countries like Hungary, and thank you, Malt Masters for the perfect pea note. Your sincere foreign whiskey lover, Pete from Hungary.

16th November 2014

My friends in the UK military had Ardmore at The Bulldog, a very popular pub at Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. After have a serving of Ardmore, I said "this is now my favorite Scotch" which led to the head bartender writing "Eric's favorite" on the back of the bottle.

13th November 2014

El olor es nas fuerte que sabor. La turba me turba. Pasa fácil porvka boca. E no encontramos los años. Pero huele a humo y lo notas.

1st November 2014

As a lover of Peated Islay whiskies and equally of sweet Speyside Malts this Truly Delicious dram hit's the spot for me ........... Mmmmmm !

21st October 2014

This dram is proof positive that the NAS format has its limits. In truth, very few malts have the calibre of spirit to be bottled this young (I would be amazed if this is older than the statutory 3 years)and this definitely isn't one of them. The nose initially promises a sweet caramel; the palate initially promises rich creamy grain, but these first few seconds of contact are quickly undercut by the unmistakable and devastating solvent-driven attack of raw, immature spirit. The tasting notes suggest that the finish has a sharp edge - a kung fu kick to the stomach would be more accurate. Undrinkable, as others have said here, and easily the worst whisky (I have enjoyed the output of over fifty scotch distilleries)that I have ever tasted.

9th October 2014

Was recently given this bottle as a gift, and had no idea what to expect. Took it along to a whisky tasting evening with friends. When we came to this one which none of us had tasted before, the conversation stopped and we were all quite impressed. I would describe it as full, rich, and complex with a different kind of peaty taste than the Islay whiskys.

27th September 2014

Utterly vile. Avoid

23rd September 2014

A very unmistakable single malt, with full peaty flavour. Absolutely love to drink it. Very easy to sip. Lovely!

U Bartsch, North Berwick, Scotland

12th September 2014

Very smokey/peaty which tends to dominate palate with long but subtle smokey ness. Good if you like your peat, I brought it to try however seems I prefer the sweeter whiskies!

8th September 2014

For the same price, the HP, but priced $15 lower in my area, buy the Ard and put the difference to a bottle of Lag 12, C.Ila, or Bal. 12/15. For a whisky drinker of modest means, a bottle of this, Glenmorangie 10, OPulteney 12, and a 10-12yr Islay would be a tasty shelf. A Rating within class, not absolute.

2nd July 2014

it's good

30th May 2014

I jumped in seeing it said there's a hint of peat. There's definitely a nice touch of peat, caramel, and honey on the nose. Palate consisted of the subtle touch of peat, light caramel, hints of smoked meats and a bit of roasted almonds creep in. Finish was short but sweet. I did not find the harshness that others have mentioned either, i found it rugged, but smooth. For a sub $50 Scotch Whisky here in the US, its quite a good find, I didn't expect much, but will definitely buy more in the future.

9th April 2014

Wasn't expecting too much, but I figured for the price I would give it a shot. I was very happy with my purchase! I got none of the "harsh" notes that others have referenced, and actually found quite the opposite. Even at 46%.

Nose: Honeyed ham, light peat, caramel (but almost more of a white sugary sweet), and a touch of salt air. Dried fruits have come out on my second tasting that added to the sweetness.

Palate: US Milk Chocolate (was not expecting that!), peat but it did not overpower other tastes, slightly salty, smoked meats, and caramel.

Finish: Short to moderate. The sweetness carries though and is rather prominent. Many other peated Scotches I've had have a straight peat finish that overpowers other flavors. And while it's there, it allows the other flavors to shine. Quite smooth.

6th March 2014

Traditional Cask is a peated Highland, so it's sort of an all-arounder (a'la Highland Park 12), with none of the thinness or off-notes of similarly-priced single malts like Speyburn Bradan Orach, etc.

The nose is mostly sweet, dominated by honeyed barbecue sauce, with complementary undertones of maple and smoke. On the palate, it's pleasantly full-bodied with lots of Highland honey and more smoke, and an oiliness that calls to mind boiled peanuts. The finish is nice and long, with a bit of ash.

5th December 2013

Great value for such a well made whisky. Its a Highland whisky on the border with Spayside. If you like peated give it a try, you will not be disapointed. Johnny Norfolk

20th November 2013

This is not a bad wee half for the price yes I will buy it again dr

8th November 2013

This is an incredibly young whisky, very raw on the nose after first pouring, probably 5-8 years old. reminds me of 'Glen Orrin' Aldis own scotch but 3 times the price of the Ardmore. takes at least ten minutes just to open up and when it does, with a drop of water the peat dissipates and yes; there is plenty of caramel & oak with a touch of highland fruitiness but none of these flavours are deep or long lasting, I was drawn to this for its relative price, non-chill filtering & 46 degrees but I was disappointed, ardmores consumer research department has obviously spent a lot of money watching the whisky trends. It has 2 out of my 3 requisites of a 'craft' whisky, but I was very dissapointed. Spend your money elsewhere guys!

16th October 2013

I found this an interesting Highland Whisky. Smooth and quite strong on the peat, which I personally enjoy. What a great price for a 46% Single Malt.

9th September 2013

Picked up a 750mL for $25 at a Boston area chain store (Kappy's) at the suggestion of the store manager. I was surprised they something costing as much as dreadful Jack Daniel's could be so satisfying. I will admit it's on.the rougher side but then again I look forward to a good peaty bite. All in all one of the best deals I've ever gotten on a single malt. Strongly recommended, especially if you're not familiar to peat and don't want to jump right into laphroaig or lagavulin or the like.

5th July 2013

A very nice dram, with just aout the right amount o smoke for its bourbon character. Perhaps a bit rich and would not want more than 2 or 3 at a time....an excellent alternative to Laphroig if you don't want as much smoke.85/100....struth

14th May 2013

I've been drinking a wide range of single malts for about 20 years and was given this single malt as a present. However I find it very hard to drink and a thoroughly unpleasant experience. I much prefer other single malts.

11th April 2013

Like others before me noted, this whisky can be initially hard on the palette - very peaty and sweet at the same time (in a bad way). Quite unlike anything else I have tasted. However, a hearty splash of water makes all the difference - Gone are the (too) sharp, in your face notes, and you're left with a smooth easy-to-drink whisky. Probably wouldn't buy again due to better choices, but reasonable whisky.

11th April 2013

It has sat in the middle of my collection for weeks. It's not one I am drawn to. I find it has a bitter taste to it. Strong peat, unfortunately not in a pleasant way, like a lagavulin, laphroaig or talisker.
I'd rather a bottle of bowmore legend for that price.

26th March 2013

46deg yet very smooth and drinkable neat, commendable non chill-filtered bottling. No age statement and a little research suggests a vatted malt of 6 to 12 years. Definite 'Teachers' creaminess.

Very attractive smokiness and on first taste seems to be a wonderful find. However there is very little complexity and the finish is simply caramel, getting sweeter. On reflection I wont be buying another bottle.

25th March 2013

Cheap whisky is good, because is cheap. Actually it is difficult to find something better for this money.

22nd March 2013

I will not pretend that this one could benefit from a little more time. I can say though that this one is quit nice for the $30US that I paid. It has a richer oak finish than most ten year olds and the smoke/peat is not nearly as medicinal as an Islay. It really is unique to any Single malt I have tries.

8th February 2013

This has a very smooth taste to the palate. I love the smokey aroma of the peat and the smokey taste. I use to drink Laphroaig which has an overwellming smokey aroma and and taste. I was pleasantly surprised to stumble onto Ardmore. The price is also more reasonable. A toast to everyones health for Christmas and the coming New Year.

26th November 2012

As a whisky drinker who tends to drink Islay malts 9 times out of 10, I have to say I really enjoyed this malt, nice amount of peat with a lovely fruity-ness that follows after the peaty taste starts to fade coupled with a pleasing oily texture, I will say it doesn't have the compexity and length of some Islay malts, but it is fantastic in it's own right, if you're looking for a Islay malt you wont find it here, what you will find is a very good peated whisky from speyside that's not chill-filltered and is great value for money.

2nd January 2012

Quite a burn to it, and on certain pallets can almost tend to TCP, but the proof is in an empty glass demanding to be filled. Definitely one to get again.

27th December 2011

needs a dash of water. realiable dram though. otherwise i wouldnt be on my 7th bottle

8th November 2011

Truly a good whisky. The nose is smokey peat, which is a pleasant. A bit sharp at times on the palate, but overall a fairly smooth end.

25th July 2011

So many whiskys are so much better on the nose from an emptied glass. Try it, it will be a revelation. It is def the case with Ardmore.

5th April 2011

The MoM notes are about right. I would add that the initial oak is quite vinegary and young. It is a bit harsh due to its age but, give it a chance,it is a decent and interesting dram. Not one I would rush to buy again.

5th April 2011

Very nice and easy to drink

25th December 2010

Maybe I had a bad bottle, but I found this completely undrinkable

1st July 2010

Not at all bad - lots of peat at first with a hint of sweetness. The ending is a bit weak but very smokey.
Rickalous

24th November 2009