The Ardmore Legacy

I am not much of a drinker. I usually drink beer and red wine, when I do drink. I never drink hard liquor. But! I stumbled upon this a few weeks ago, after opening myself to giving whiskey another try. To my astonishment, it’s the first time in my life that I can say that I have enjoyed a glass of whiskey 🥃.

17th November 2019

All in all it's a little above poor. There's no real complexity about it. The peat's neither here nor there and you find yourself hunting around for the smoke that, at first sniff, wafts slightly wafts around but then fails to register at taste. It's a pot Man's Aldi Islay Malt which is actually a better tipple. I don't care what price it is or that it's frequently heavily discounted, It lacks depth, smoothness, and roundness of flavors, they're a poorly blended mishmash that gives it a harsh after taste. They should have named it: 'Hunter's Dram' because that's what you'll spend your time doing, hunting for its true notes.

10th November 2019

I wish I was an expert like some of your “reviewers “
Great value at the moment and just replaced an almost empty bottle with two more.

31st October 2019

I think it is a bargain if you want an economical everyday go to peated whiskey. It is well rounded as you would expect from a Highland whiskey but definitely has an added kick from the Islay side, which I think is a very good bonus!

26th August 2019

The taste reminds me of the first whiskey I tasted, Haig gold label, but without the grain whisky. This Ardmore is extra nice with a little splash of Ardbeg 10

6th July 2019

The peat is unmistakable but as advertised it is light. If you're into the heavy peat hitters from Islay this will disappoint. To borrow a phrase, this is Vivaldi not Beethoven. If however you're in the mood to liven things up a little this is deserving of the international awards it has accumulated. Very enjoyable.

20th May 2019

Poor. Ardmore Traditional Cask was in there with the greats. This is a mess. I wont buy Ardmore again until they bring back the trad cask non-chill filtered.

13th May 2019

Awful, lacks balance and overly sweet dram. Do not waste your time.

13th March 2019

This is barely drinkable. Yes it’s inexpensive, but IMO not worth it. Overly sweet, almost sickening, with oddly light peat, a watery body and a harsh finish.

13th March 2019

It's a simple, easy to drink peated dram with a good amount of spice and a hint of lemon. It's not the best malt to have, but certainly the best for that amount of cash.

26th February 2019

A very decent single malt at the price, although at times I think it's a Highland whisky which thinks it might be an Island whisky. It's been on offer at Waitrose recently and I've bought several bottles. Some reviewers have complained that it's harsh, but I haven't found that. I like the light peaty, smokey flavour and I enjoy a dram before retiring at night. It's a dram which usually leads to a peaceful, relaxing night. For myself, I like it with a small drop of water. I assume it's an 8 year old whisky and it saddens me that one can pay up to £40 for a bottle of single malt without ever knowing its age. Interestingly, there are grain single whiskies around where they proudly display its 8 year old credentials, although I wouldn't give a thank you for them.

26th December 2018

Teachers shite with a bit Of Laphroaig thrown in to try and make it interesting.
Bland.

11th August 2018

It’s a bit wet for my taste as I was hoping for a bit more of a dry texture and not quite as sweet. The oak is very up front and chased immediately with smokyness and vanilla on the back. The oak and smoke hang long on the finish. Not bad, a solid 4 out of 5.

9th August 2018

Outstanding for the money. My go to everyday malt.

7th August 2018

Tastes more expensive than. It actually is. Fine dram. Nice amount of smoke. Will buy many more.

2nd August 2018

Kinda pish

16th June 2018

Rough

14th June 2018

Bought a bottle yesterday as I had run out of Teachers H. Cream, my favourite blend which is unavailable locally, and I had read that Ardmore is at the core of Teachers. Also, did not want to stretch to Laphroaig, my overall favourite so far.

Yesterday I was disappointed by the harshness of Ardmore and thought I would give it away. Maybe that was because I had a good Laph in a pub before going home to open the Ardmore. Today, however, it seems drinkable neat, but after my first dram I poured it on ice up to the top of the ice, and it is quite satisfying. Will not buy it again if I can help it though. I will try not to run out of Highland Cream in future.

13th May 2018

Just opened a bottle of this last night.
On the nose I detected new leather, toffee, aromatic spice.
On the palate oak, cream, very balanced and smooth.
Not a long finish, but creamy.
After adding a few drops of water, it opens up a bit, woodier, old, grassy field (mown hay?)

5th May 2018

Slightly peaty (very slightly), a little bit of vanilla sweetness, lingering spiciness.

I’m usually wary of the cheaper supermarket single malts, but for £21 in Tesco I took a punt. Glad I did - drinks like a £30 bottle and so factoring in value, four stars. Tidy darts

13th March 2018

This is very similar to laph. select but it also has a freshness I really appreciated. The peat is subtle but lingers, a great introduction to peat, which I found non existent in Jura Superstition. This is the very best drop I've tasted if kilchoman or lagavulin are a purse stretch too far.

7th March 2018

Excellent one. Great smokey flavor, not harsh , but genuine single malt.. on ice is best w touch of soda.

18th February 2018

For me there was a taste of disinfectant and wood smoke

9th February 2018

Nose:

Smoke, vanilla, spice, little oakiness, little younghness but not unpleasend, smoke hides it decent.
Little honey with some tree branch smoke?, some ash in there, malty.
Little floral and fruity but not much.
A little cinnamon, with a hint a old barbecue.


Taste:

Little light on the arrival, then becoming full and spicy.
creamy, honey, caramel, toasted oak.
It feels solid.
No youth, little little milk chocolate in the end.
A lot of spicy elements this whisky.
Can't tell what type of spice, there is a little zest I think.
Some orange with the zest.

Finsih/aftertaste:

Its decent, not to long but long enough.
Some honey and vanilla.
There also is some light orage peel in there, not the bitter kind.
In the aftertaste there is some maltyness which is pretty nice and goes well with the rest.


For a cheap one the taste is really good.
Long finish.
Maybe a hint of some smouldering branches on the mid palate, then a small hit in the finish wakes you up.
There is smoke, yes, but not alot. some peat in the taste but not alot, its mellow, it adds to the whisky.
Its a campfire smokeyness.
mouthfeel is a little thin, would be amazing at 46%, non chill filtered.
Its not old, but, for its young age (nas) it is solid.

I would buy it again because its good at its price.

8.6/10

Not life changing, good everyday dram.
It will be hard to top this at its price.
Its nice if you want to take a break from all the complex and really smokey or sherry'ed whisky's.
Good one to have in your bar.

Its fun to add 2 drops of water, it opens up a bit and lets you explore for more.
-Cheers!

28th January 2018

Nose:
Smoke, vanilla, spice, little oakiness, little younghness but not unpleasend, smoke hides it decent.
little honey with some tree branch smoke?, some ash in there, malty. little floral and fruity but not much.
a little cinnamon, with a hint a old barbecue

taste:
little light on the arrival, then becomming full and spicy.
creamy, honey, caramel, toasted oak.
It feels solid.
No youth, little little milk chocolate in the end.
Alof of spicy elements this whisky.
Can't tell what type of spice, there is a little zest i think.
Some orange with the zest, more orange in the aftertaste, but light.

For a cheap one the taste is really good.
Long finish.
Maby a hint of some smoldering branches on the mid palat, then a small hit in the finsh wakes you up.
mouthfeel is a little thin, would be amazing at 46%, non chill filtered.
its not old, yet, for its youngh age (nas) it is solid.

Would buy again because its good at its price.

86/100

its not life changing, good every day dram, it will be hard to top this at its price.
its nice if you want to take a break from all the complex and really smokey or sherry'ed whiskies.
Good one to have in your bar.

2nd January 2018

Nothing wrong with this malt other than the colouring and chill-filtration, Its not particularly complex, but I dont see what is so bad about it, Its a nice middle ground between peat and fruitiness, it goes down easy and thats the charm of it.

4th December 2017

The worst single malt I have purchased. Hoping to have this smooth & slightly peaty tast, I found it harsh and as far as identifying the rich flavour of peat - totally lost.
It seems that you need to stick to those brands you know & can rely on.

3rd December 2017

Sat drinking this as I type. It's a nice whisky, a little smoke, and easy to drink. Not to expensive you'll worry about finishing the bottle. If you want a heavy peat kick then this won't give you what you want, head for Ardbeg. Was drinking Talisker Storm last night and can really tell the difference in smoke, and peat. A good whisky for a week night when come home from work, arnt worried about the cost and just feel like a mid week dram 👍

31st August 2017

The flavours are so vibrant; smooth satisfying and gentle on the palate a perfect end to a busy day.

24th July 2017

I am surprised by how bad reviews are on this I feel like this is a very unique whisky that's actually got some good complexity. It has the honey and barley of a highland whisky with a unique peat running through it that lasts on the finish. Hints of cinnamon and coffee with charred oak and lots of honey and a good amount of peat I'd call it a medium peat whisky. Not bad at all especially for $35. The Sugarbear

11th July 2017

Devo dire che questo The Ardmore Legacy non ha deluso affatto la mia aspettativa, un whisky ben dosato, carattere morbido e intenso al momento giusto....ottimo dal prezzo veramente accessibile, entusiasta al massimo.

15th June 2017

This is a lovely drink, lightly peated and easy drinking. Whilst it is certainly no Ardbeg this is my go to if I can't get Ardbeg on sale

9th June 2017

I feel the criticisms of it are unfair as do not take into account the price. As someone in the real world who can't always afford to spend £40+ on a bottle, this is a decent everyday drinking whisky which allows you to save your more expensive bottles for special occasions and treats! (I don't want to finish my Bowmore 18 any time soon)

I've not come across a whisky with peaty or smokey flavour in this price range before, and I like a bit of peat and smoke - so chuffed with this bottle! I'd definitely recommend it at £20.

8th June 2017

Fine whisky a good dram not to peaty worth the money.

8th June 2017

I must have a faulty bottle, hardly any taste or the experience of drinking a whisky. It almost seems as if it's half whisky, half water. Not trying this again.

1st June 2017

Absolutely superb whisky. Went down so smoothly. I'm buying another bottle as mine has gone.

21st May 2017

This whisky comes over as s little more than lightly peated. Not a heavily peated whisky, that's for sure but more than a lightly peated one. I am however, shocked at some of the negative reviews, this whisky is without doubt an easy drinking single malt scotch that ticks all the right boxes. I picked my bottle up for £20.00. Discounted from around £31.00 in my local Tesco's and am well impressed.

19th May 2017

When I first tasted this I was very confused because I didn't realize this version was to replace Ardmore Tradition. Having gotten used to and loving the strong smoke and peat of the traditional version, I found this to be quite disappointing. It's OK but it just doesn't have the same wonderful complexity. I'll have to start stockpiling the old version while you can still get it.

17th May 2017

Smoky peaty excellence. Lovely dram and good value too.

3rd May 2017

I have to say I thought this one of the best value single malts I've tried in some time. Currently on offer in ASDA at £20 a bottle (!!), were you to blind taste it you'd assume a far higher price.
Ignore some of the ignorant reviews below, this is a (lightly) peated whisky, and tastes it. Anyone who believes in adding ice to a single malt to improve its flavour is drinking the wrong drink and living in the wrong country.

1st May 2017

This is a bloody lovely whisky. Nicely peated and so easy to drink. Vanilla flavours sit on your tongue, and it's so very smooth. This is the whisky which made me really like whisky.

8th March 2017

Nice and easy drinking. Lacks the intensity of Islay and the subtlety of Lowlands, but could do quite a bit of damage if presented with a full bottle!

3rd March 2017

my first thought was to take it back to the retailer as I thought it was spoiled in some way. Having read some of these reviews, I guess it could be that it just doesn't suit my palate. Will keep it for when people I'm not too keen on call.

25th February 2017

Just the right amount of smoke and peat for me. I got some in a tasting pack and went straight out and bought a bottle. It's nice to have a whisky where the smoke doesn't overpower the rest of the flavours.

31st January 2017

I'm no whisky expert but I know the difference between something that tastes good and something that doesn't. The first think that hit me was the smell of hospital bandages or germaline. I out some ice in it to see what f it was easier to drink but it didn't help. I definitely won't be drinking this again and don't recommend it.

17th January 2017

This one requires some time after opening the bottle. Delicate and yet distinctive nose is crowned with well rounded sweetness and hint of lemon. Superb for it's price.

20th December 2016

It is a well known fact that most reviews come from those who have complaints to air and want their negative comments to be read. Those with positive comments seldom if ever post a review so I have decided to try and redress the balance.
It is understandable that my first impression led me to think that this was a pleasantly peated whisky from the west coast islands. How wrong was that?
If your palate can appreciate a velvety smooth, mild, peaty malt then you must try this one. It normally retails for around £30 but on occasions can be found on offer in leading supermarkets for nearer £20.
I would rate this one as a very decent 3.5 star bearing in mind that 5 stars can only be awarded to some of those very special drams that remain unaffordable to the likes of myself.

29th November 2016

Bought this based purely on price for something new to try and didn't expect as much as it gives. Peat smoke is not just the reserve of Islay and this is suited to it unlike several other malts with peat "bolted on" as a newly bottled variation on tradition. Easy drinking and better without water which I find unusual. This malt from reviews seems to polarise opinion based on production methods and measure to its predecessor, shoot me down but I think it sits better with peat than the current peated Jura and a recently sampled Benromach Peat version and despite its Geography has some hints of Campletown. There I said it. £20 is a must buy.

1st November 2016

Bought this from local Costcutters. I poured myself a glass; took a sip and had to throw the rest down the sink. Strange chemical aftertaste still after 2 hours. Nasty.

13th October 2016

This is a mild easy drinking whiskey with a nice faint peaty taste. 4.5 stars for the price. To me it tastes like a more expensive single malt.

11th October 2016

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Light bodied and with a light peat smoke. Unusual and a different to your typical highland or peated malt. Not the smoothest but not rough either. An easy light drink and currently one of my favourites. Don't listen to the so called experts and whisky snobs saying its rubbish. Its LIGHTLY peated too, nothing like Ardbeg as some have said. Its not expensive either and can regularly be found on special offer at around £20 a bottle down from the usual £30.

10th October 2016

More presence than most Highlands. Peatie. Good.

21st September 2016

The flavours are lacking in depth with a salty after-taste to accompany the mild peatiness. Not totally unpleasant, but lacking the quality you'd expect from a bottle of this price when comparing to other bottles available.

27th July 2016

This scotch is not meant for hobbyist scotch drinkers, and I wouldn't order it for my own pleasure.

However, it's a bottle I'll keep on the shelf to ease beginners into scotch who are used to easy drinking cocktails, beers & wine. It contains hints of notes generally from Highland & Speyside with little peatiness, which will help one figure out what kind of scotch he/she prefers (as opposed to trying multiple scotches).

Added note: it's a decent pairing for easy maduro/natural cigars with more creamy/cocoa notes.

20th May 2016

A blind taste may make you think of the West Coast. This is definitely peatier than expected and my inexperienced palate noted similarities to Laphroig and Tallisker with the smoothness of a lowland. What not to like? Could drink this all night. Buy. It. Now.

14th May 2016

Really sad to say it mates at Ardmore... but this whisky has disappointed me from the very beginning (i.e. nosing). It is almost as if it was not matured sufficiently (or more than three years for that matter), taken as soon as legally allowed from the casks, poured into the bottles and sold to the "thirsty" consumer who was for so long waiting for it with his coca cola and melting ice cubes...

29th April 2016

I bought my first ever bottle yesterday. £20 at Asda. Money is a bit tight this month so I thought I would take a chance. What a most pleasant surprise. Admittedly it's not an Ardbeg or a Laphroaig but this really is a very palatable dram. Extremely difficult to understand the negative comments.

8th March 2016

I'm perhaps a little biased, but this Ardmore when compared to the Traditional is a weak and downright abysmal replacement to the brilliant Traditional note. I'm sad to say that when all of the Traditional bottles in existence disappear, I will not be back to Ardmore.

This is a huge shame, my bias comes from Ardmore Traditional being the whisky that got me into the drink in the first instance.

I can see this being an OK whisky for beginners, and nothing more.

29th February 2016

Nice peaty dram, really smoky, remind me of diluted 10yo Ardbeg. Worth its price but if you like to taste something else after peat you have to pay more.

18th February 2016

Tastes nice with Pepsi.

23rd December 2015

Didn't know what to expect as a relatively new whisky drinker, but picked it up in Tesco's for £20 and this punched well above it's weight. Didn't find it too strong/peaty, Ok it wasn't anywhere near as good as a 15yo Glenlivet but I enjoyed it and I've had a lot worse. Agree with the earlier comment about Talisker Storm, this is way better.

6th December 2015

This is excellent value and easy drinking. There's a really dynamic nose and palate here for a relatively low cost. Great whisky.

21st October 2015

It will never be my favourite whisky, but Tesco had it twice on offer for £20 and for that price it is an excellent value. I am not a big fan of peaty whiskies and find Speysides often too quaffable and this right in the middle of them.

22nd July 2015

Not normally a fan of adding water or ice to my single malts, but someone suggested this, and I must admit it changes it significantly. Can't say I prefer it to neat, but it is QUITE different. Those on here who are not keen might try it that way, and find a better, more acceptable taste. I am savouring it right now, and enjoying it. The nose doesn't change to me, but the flavour on the tongue is a v different thing. As previous reviewer said, for £20 in Tesco - q decent. Depends on what you want - peat lovers will say it's weak. Speyside fans might view it as strong. I tend more speyside-ish, so the peat 'easing' is maybe preferable.

3rd July 2015

I was in tesco and seen this for 20 quid as a staunch talisker man I thought I would give this a try and I am pleased to say I don't regret it nice smoke and spice just like the talisker not saying it's in the same league as the talisker 10 year old but certainly better than the skye and storm which in my opinion are an embarrassment to the talisker name. Well worth 20 quid

25th June 2015

I would not buy this again. I think it is overpricd foa NAS malt.Its OK but nothing special.

24th June 2015

This was a very reasonably priced single malt. I am by no means a snob when it comes to anything, but this was a very overpowering scotch. Even at the beginning this was not a smooth drink. It started off astringent and had an ending that was worse. I would always say form your own opinion. This could have been a bad day for me or for Ardmore. Thanks for reading.

19th April 2015

Ardmore is replacing their Traditional with THIS? Sorry, but when the Traditional is all gone from the shelves, I will not be buying this 40%, chill-filtered, dumbed down version. Big mistake, Ardmore. You've lost a fan, unless you keep the Traditional around.

9th April 2015

I enjoyed this. Presently on offer in all major supermarkets, it is unbeatable value for a 'does what it says on the lid' malt. I detected all major elements as described. Would buy again.

1st April 2015

I've tried both the Traditional at 46% and this new Legacy. Like most, I prefer the Traditional and if I had to pay £30 for the Legacy, I probably would think that's too much. However, it can be picked up just now for £20 and at that price it tastes pretty good for a weekend away up the hills, sitting in a tent!

30th March 2015

Yes

this is not the distinguished flavour and strength that I really enjoy in the traditional bottles I managed to grab in the past few months before they disappeared from the supermarket shelves

11th March 2015

Ardmore Traditional was a fantastic whisky this is definitely no where near as good,in fact it's just a rip off.

24th February 2015

This is a little lightly peaty gem. Super easy to drink, never mind sip!!!

19th February 2015

Why on earth would anyone in their right mind forsake the excellent Traditional Cask presentation at 46% and Non-Chilfiltered for this 40% fiddled-with inferior offering? I will not part with my money for the sake of a cheap marketing trick. Shame on Ardmore. :-(

17th February 2015