1997 Ardmore 25 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Refill Hogshead Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Staff Reviews

WB

Will Blakely

Will Blakely

I cannot get enough of these Ardmore casks from independent bottlers, and this one features everything I want. Though technically unpeated, some of that woodsy highland smoke remains, smelling like a distant wood fire burning in a log cabin in a pine forest. The palate presents seamless creme brulee, dried apricot and honeycomb but with that smoldering oak kindling remaining present throughout. Drinking this reminded me of an incredible brunch I recently had: thick cut French toast rolled in butterscotched cornflakes. That's the sort of density and decadence at play here. Well worth the price, this bottle is a must-have for anyone looking to break into next level Scotch.

Notes

This unprecedented cask of Ardmore is as unusual as it is delicious. The famous Highland peater was built at Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire in 1898. The spiritual home of the once popular Teacher's Highland Cream, its original owner was in fact the son of the founder of that brand, Adam Teacher. One of the last distillers to use coal to fire their stills, this barrel was distilled prior to their transition to gas in 2001. It boasts the ability to produce nearly 5.5 million liters of pure alcohol a year with 8 working stills. Nearly all of that is made with heavily peated barley. The distillery has remained relatively unknown, although the eastern Highlands is becoming a more significant corner of the single malt landscape, thanks to improvements over the last two decades of its two major neighbors - Glendronach & Glen Garioch. The enigmatic offering is one of the only we've ever seen from this special distillery to feature less peated barley. That said the constant use of heavily peated barley remains in the system and so a very subtle smoke character remains in the whisky, but by no means is it the standard Ardmore. Add more than 2.5 decades and you've got an absolute gem. So, if you're looking for great old school malt, but aren't a fan of the smokey stuff or you're just looking to expand your understanding of Scotch malt in a general sense, you'll not want to miss this old Highlander. Exceptional in its own right, it represents a true oddity very unlikely to be seen again.