Ardmore G&M 1998-2018

Since I’m doing a review of Ardmore’s contribution to the Boutiquey Advent calendar for 2019, I thought I would review a couple of other minis and samples from the distillery on the same day. This one comes courtesy @cricklewood. It is a 20 YO IB, 43%, opened July 2018, and I received the sample in August 2019. It was apparently matured in refill sherry hogsheads.

This expression, tasted in a Highland Whisky Glass, is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 21/25

Fruity. Red and green apples. Peat in the background. Something slightly vegetal. Hint of syrup. It has a softer nose than I just smelled in the dram of Legacy (not Wiser’s, @paddockjudge) I just sampled.

Taste: 20.5/25

Sweet arrival, pepper in the development. Hint of peat. You can taste the sherry influence. Not very complex. Water thins the mouthfeel (20/25)

Finish: 21/25

Sour and peppery. Medium length. Slightly astringent. I get a hint of coffee in the finish with water.

Balance: 20/25

I think there is too much peat (and not fantastic peat) and not enough of other flavours

Score: Neat - 82.5/100 With Water: 82/100

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This expression is definitely an exception to the dogma that older is better. I actually prefer the NAS legacy to this.

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