Whisky : Ardmore 7 Year SMWS 66.164 “I like big butts”

Country/Region : Scotland/Highland

ABV : 61.8%

Cask : 5Y Ex-Oloroso American Oak Butt, 2Y 2nd Fill Spanish Oak Sherry

Age : 7 Years (Distilled 25 April 2012)

Nose : Sweet cream, fruit, and cinders.  Roasted marshmallows, s’mores, new tires, and fresh asphalt.  Meat and sweet combined to give the impression of hickory smoked jerky, roasted pineapples, and peach cobbler.  There was a lovely herbal side with dried tobacco and late summer cow pasture.  

Palate : Medium bodied with a bright flavor profile.  Chocolate, spice, and fruit all popped immediately with a bit of farmyard funk in the background.  Herbal notes of a smoked pork loin came through along with berries, and charred marshmallows.  Hints of salty brine and earthy cow pasture arrived at the end as the dram slowly built up a nice dryness.

Finish : Lingering milk chocolate, ash, and toasted herbs.

Score : 7

Mental Image : S’mores at the Ranch

Notes : A double sherried heavily peated Ardmore with an absolutely brilliant name— there was a lot to love here.  Loads of sweet sherry and spice came through while sweet char notes and a bit of farmy funk brought balance to the experience.  I really enjoyed the marshmallow and caramelized fruits on the nose along with the hint of cow funk which really came out with a few drops of water.  This reminded me a lot of SMWS 66.154, an Ardmore titled “RoboCow,” with its farmyard and campfire qualities.  

This was a fun experience.  Not the most complex Ardmore I have had, though the flavors were nice and punchy.  It was a two trick pony, but the pony does the tricks so well you love it anyway.  The dram was delicious and what it did it did well even if it lacked some of the tropical notes that have often drawn me to Ardmore.  Overall, a great bottle to sip on and one that I enjoyed a good deal.