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