The 2007 release of this 'Traditional Cask' was the first official single malt from the Ardmore distillery, this is a young whisky, but it was aged in quarter casks, which proffers a speedy maturation thus discounting its youth.
Full of caramel. Toasted oak is evident and rich and just the faintest peat has muscled its way through.
Lots of barley and cereal notes, oodles of rich bourbon, smoke and peat still present. Charming interplay through the caramel sweetness and the vanilla spiced oak.
Has a sharp edge, more caramel and sugary barley notes and a lanolin smoothness and more tapering smoke.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cheap whisky is good, because is cheap. Actually it is difficult to find something better for this money.
