SMWS released this Ardmore as part of their 2026 Festival outturn— every May brings new artwork, new bottles, and sometimes exceptionally uncommon whiskies. Neither Ardmore, nor twenty-something year Ardmore are strangers to SMWS. However, this had a unique second fill wine finish to it, an aspect that made me incredibly weary of the whisky. I have had more misses than hits with wine maturations, though Ardmore has performed better than most. Still, it is always a bit eye raiser to see such a stately whisky with an odd finish.

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Whisky: Ardmore 27 Year (1998), SMWS 66.260 “Bath Bomb after a Bonfire”

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 51.3%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead (24Y), Second Fill 300L Cabernet Sauvignon cask

Age: 27 Years (Distilled 27 May 1998)

Notes: Notes: Wispy smoke, hot oil, fried dough, and cotton candy— with the aroma I imagined strolling the grass of a carnival midway. Malty sugars and fruity wine influence met under a puff of smoke with burning grass, crushed sugar cane, grape must, and dried stone fruits. Medium to light-bodied on the palate, the whisky grew more oily and peppery with each sip. Smoke and steam from fried meats, fats, and dough met powdered sugar, freeze dried strawberries, and cocoa powder— I once ate a burger topped with kalua pork with two red velvet malasadas serving as buns and this brought that memory back so clearly. Wispy smoke and figs lingered with some balsamic glaze and cracked black pepper. The finish was medium to long and slightly drying with pepper, cocoa, and wispy smoke.

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Score: 8 (87)

Mental Image: Food Truck Rally

Conclusion: During our local outturn preview tasting, this was my favorite bottle. I was shocked it beat out the Bowmore to take the top of my list, though I still could not bring myself to splurge on a bottle. It was mellow and mild, though peppery toward the end. The flavors were clear and evolved nicely in the glass as the peated malt and the wine cask were generally harmonious, which was a welcome surprise. Overall, a tasty dram— I would never turn down another pour.