Ardmore is a fantastic example of “peat doesn’t mean Islay” in the Scotch whisky world. It’s a peated malt - from the Highlands.

Highland peat is different from Islay, Orcadian, or Island peat. It has none of the maritime notes, no salt, no iodine, drier vegetation and, for me, more smoke than ‘peatiness’. This is a gentle peat, at least in the Ardmore, one that infuses a subtle smoke throughout the dram.

I think I’ve had Ardmore before, but only once, so not enough to have any great grasp of the place. So let’s focus on the dram.

This ImpEx Collection Ardmore immediately catches the eye - for a first-fill bourbon cask, it has remarkable color akin to a Manzanilla finish or short white wine maturation. It’s an auspicious start - any time something is immediately different than I expect, I get excited.

Then the pour explodes.

I won’t even waste time re-typing it here - the tasting notes will tell you everything you need to know.

Thank you to ImpEx Beverages for providing this sample with no strings attached. Full disclosure: ImpEx is the Whiskey Ring Podcast’s Presenting Sponsor. All editorial control remains with me.

The ImpEx Collection 13 Year Old 2008 Ardmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Specs

Classification: Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

Origin: Ardmore Distillery

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Proof: 118.6 (59.3% ABV)

Age: 13 Years Old, Aged in 1st-Fill Bourbon Hogsheads

Cask: #5943

Location: Speyside, Scotland

The ImpEx Collection 13 Year Old 2008 Ardmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky Price: $159.99

Official Website

The ImpEx Collection 13 Year Old 2008 Ardmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Apple juice. Thin rims and thin legs, no droplets.

Nose: Explodes from the glass. Late summer foliage, grain in a silo, orchard fruits and leaf-covered grass. Candle wax, light woodsmoke and barrel char. Surprisingly strong cask character (should’ve guessed from the eye). There’s a floral note that stops just shy of being soapy, evolving into lavender and heather smoke.

Palate: Heavy bourbon influence, corn and tobacco leading the profile. Front-tongue proof heat, mild peat that’s still more smoke than vegetation in true Highland fashion. Old leather goods under my tongue and in the corners of my mouth. Mouthfeel is oily, almost waxy, barely any oak astringency (though plenty of oak character besides). Not coating but quite filling, roasted fruits especially apples and pears on a woodfire grill. Keeps changing and evolving second-by-second.

Finish: Long, heavy at first with woodsmoke and wax. The finish is far more coating than the palate. The smoke falls under the tongue as grill char takes over.

Overall: One of the more complex pours I’ve had this year. It keeps evolving, the smoke emerging late on the nose and gently on the palate like a diesel engine - slow to start but powerful once it’s going. Proof is mild at first, apple cider in the throat. Dark chocolate appears as a smoky byproduct.

Final Rating: 7.9

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary

8 | Excellent | Exceptional

7 | Great | Well above average

6 | Very Good | Better than average

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary

4 | Has promise but needs work

1-3 | Let’s have a conversation