Ardmore 12 Year Old 2007 SMWS 66.165

The SMWS – or Scotch Malt Whisky Society – likes Ardmore. In 2019 they already bottled the 165th cask from this distillery. At cask strength, of course. The Highland malt matured on a refill ex-bourbon hogshead, which made the tasting panel decide to call this whisky 'Mesmerizing and entertaining'. Who makes that up? The malt is particularly pale. Let's get a taste of it.

Well, on the nose this is immediately very dirty. Think vase water versus mashed potatoes, really. Fish oil versus mud. This immediately reminds me of young Ledaig (which is not a problem). Crust of cheese, seaweed, smoked fish. I confess that I'm kind of waiting for white fruit, but it doesn't come. After about five minutes in the glass, I only smell coffee grounds.

The body is nicely oily, the malt now a bit sweeter. Apples and vanilla, especially. But they are immediately silenced and drowned out by peat smoke, earthy notes and sweet peat. Entertaining it certainly is, I am not yet convinced of mesmerizing though. The alcohol is perfectly integrated, because absolutely no water needs to be added.

The finish is very long, warm, spicy, smoky and – eventually – sweet.

Nice Ardmore, for sure. Thanks for the sample, Gunther!

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