Released in 2014 to take the place of the Ardmore Traditional, the Legacy brings a lightly-peated, wood spice-led flavour profile to the table. At its core, the Ardmore Legacy is made with 80% peated and 20% unpeated malt.
It leans more on the savoury than the sweet side of things, with light barbecue char and earthy notes up-front. Sweet cinnamon, fresh honey and vanilla toffee waft up at points.
More charred, smoky notes, joined by drying oak, pear drops and subtle grassy touches. Give it a minute for citrus zest and expressive heather to appear.
A lasting peat smoke finish, with a little bit of honey'd barley for good measure.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
