We’re attempting Ardmore from 4 completely different bottlers as we speak. The primary one is the most recent and comes from Maltbarn. Then we’ve a Thompson Bros bottling which was unique to Germany. The third is an Elixir Distillers bottling from the Whisky Path collection. We finish the session with one other German unique. It comes from the Signatory Classic warehouse however it was chosen by Kirsch Import for its Single Cask Seasons vary.
Ardmore 18 yo 2003 (51,9%, Maltbarn 2021, sherry cask, 122 btl.)
Nostril: properly sooty and earthy, with hints of concrete mud and grassy peat. Additionally a layer of sweetness beneath, which retains rising stronger, till a stupendous fruit basket seems. Gooseberries, (dried) apricots, white peaches, lime. Heat hints of honey. Menthol takes over after some time.
Mouth: identical combine. The dry smoke, pepper and menthol is strongest. Behind this there are bready notes, damp straw and burnt grass. A candy, fruity wave remains to be current, albeit much less distinguished than on the nostril.
End: very lengthy, nonetheless actually fruity. Dried fruits, hints of chocolate and latte with cinnamon syrup and mild oak spice.
This one wants a while to open up and unfold its fruitiness, however it’s value being affected person. Good whisky. Nonetheless out there from Whiskybase as an illustration.
Ardmore 11 yo 2009 (56,1%, Thompson Bros for Kirsch Import 2021, 239 btl.)
Nostril: cleaner with lots of lemons (juice and sweet). Peppery smoke and black peppercorns. Gentle orchard fruits. Hints of straw and delicate vanilla. Moderately slender and barely sharper.
Mouth: a clear middle-aged profile, once more extra vertical however with a pleasant oily texture. Candy lemons, grapefruits, barely medicinal smoke, smoked cereals and burnt (bitterish) herbs. A honeyed sweetness runs all through.
End: lengthy, clear, smoky and citrusy. A leafy word and spice earlier than it dies out.
Much less advanced than the Maltbarn launch, with a youthful and extra simple profile. Citrus and smoke all the best way. Merely good. Rating: 87/100
Ardmore 10 yo 2009 (59%, Elixir Distillers ‘The Whisky Path’ 2020 cask #707920)
Nostril: it appears there are greater than two Thompson Bros. That is related. Recent and clear. This time extra coastal and grassy, displaying much less of the citrusy notes. Numerous ashes. Somewhat warmth and a few sawdust, in addition to vanilla ultimately.
Mouth: peppery and grassy, with a obscure pear sweetness. Once more some warmth, huge malty notes and a really mineral model of peat. Moist gravel. Grapefruits and a bit brine. Inexperienced peppercorns. Somewhat austere for my part.
End: lengthy, barely alcoholic. Grapefruit galore with gin herbs.
This can be a very restrained profile. After the 2 others this comes accross as very slender and a bit mezcaly. Youngish and a bit too austere. Rating: 84/100
Ardmore 11 yo 2010 (60,4%, Signatory Classic ‘Single Cask Seasons’ 2021, 2nd fill sherry butt end #4, 723 btl.)
Nostril: a contemporary sherry affect – lots of vanilla. Loads of malty / grainy notes as nicely. Some caramelized almonds and cocoa powder. The smoke is there however leaves room for a number of raisins as nicely. Wonderful.
Mouth: scorching, inexperienced and leafy. After that toffee and caramel set in, alongside herbs and grassy smoke. Vanilla however a light-weight bitterness as nicely. Acrid grapefruit peels and brine in direction of the top. It goes in several instructions and isn’t fully balanced.
End: lengthy, nonetheless barely bitter and natural. The sweetness feels a bit compelled now.
A little bit of a contrived, patchy Ardmore. Bitterness and sherry as a fast repair? Inexpensive however not a bottle I’d purchase. Nonetheless out there in lots of German retailers. Rating: 81/100
