Tasting two new independent Ardmore

April 23, 2013

Tasting two new independent Ardmore

I’m starting to believe that Ardmore could well become the new Ardbeg, as far as indie casks are concerned. In any case, neither just an underdog, nor only ‘Teacher’s base malt’ anymore…

Ardmore 21 yo 1992/2013 (49,7%, The Whiskyman, 175 bottles)

This one's nicknamed ‘See me, drink me’, so probably a tribute to The Rubettes (of course it's The Who). Colour: pale white wine. Nose: sweet Jesus! (that was a tribute to Roger Daltrey). Seriously, the first aromas that climb up to your nostrils are both wonderful and highly unusual, it’s some kind of smoked olive oil, or even smoked or grilled sesame or argan oil. There’s much less fruits than in the ‘average’ Ardmores, even other 192s that I could try (little peaches and such) while the smoke is much bigger. Also very mineral, I get some coal, graphite, pencil lead, limestone… It’s only after a good fifteen minutes that more lemon comes through, together with soot, naphta and maybe smoked almonds. Extremely old school. With water: water isn’t needed. Mouth (neat): lo-ve-ly tropical fruits, grapefruits, passion fruits… It’s not a very wide profile, nor is it complex, but it’s all crystal-clean and perfectly zesty, with just this very particular extra-sweetness that’s not to be found at other peatmakers’. Lemon flavoured sucrose or something like that? It’s a little rounder on the palate. Finish: medium and lovely. I seem to get a little aniseed, which makes for a nice and funny signature. Comments: Listening to you, I get the music, gazing at you, I get the heat… (make of this what you will). SGP:546 - 90 points.

Ardmore 1991/2013 (53.8%, Malts of Scotland, rum barrel, cask #MoS 13018, 234 bottles)

Rum on peat? This should be interesting… Colour: white wine. Nose: now, this one is even less fruity, but instead of minerals or coal and such, it’s rather geared toward grassy elements, moss, fern, a little motor oil (actually more and more motor oil), a feeling of agave, walnut skin… Different but quite as beautiful so far. Mouth (neat): superb. This time it’s an ultra-lemony, super-zesty one, akin the best chenins if you’re into wine. Superbly acidic, nervous, chiselled… Well I’m sure you see what I mean. Finish: long, sharp in a great way. Smoked limejuice. Comments: it’s more and more confirmed that these 1991-1992 vintages were quite magical at Ardmore. The casks are now reaching perfection in my opinion. Oh, yeah, the rum… well, I won’t tell you I noticed an obvious ‘rumminess’, unless it was an agricole and the grassy part was brought by it. No ideas, better not speculate. SGP:556 - 90 points.

Check the index of all Ardmore I've tasted so far