Is aging peated whisky in Sherry really the best way?
Ardmore 12 Year Old Port Wood Finish / 46% ABV
Tasted neat
Part of the core range, this 12 Year Old Ardmore is double matured in ex-bourbon American oak before receiving a European oak port cask finish. We get two nods to scotch whisky drinkers: it is slightly up-proof at 46%, and it is non-chill filtered. It is probably not entirely natural colour, but there is a certain ruddiness from the port casks that shows through.
- Color: 1.5 (auburn)
- Nose: classic Ardmore, sea spray, smoke, salt, with stone fruits and BBQ brisket
- Taste: fresh strawberries, blackberry syurp, peat smoke, fresh spring water, petrichor, and cherries
- Finish: long, some ash, honey and oak; strawberry
Delicately peated whisky and a port finish? Sign me up, this is amazing. Taking the brutal, but delicious, highland peat of Ardmore and softening it just a bit in port pipes is brilliant! Also this is quite affordable, I may stock up.
Rating: 7/10