Ardmore 14 Year (2007), Signatory Vintage Cask 800204 for Spec's
Whisky: Ardmore 14 Year (2007), Signatory Vintage Cask 800204 for Spec's
Country/Region: Scotland/Highland
ABV: 61.2%
Cask: Refill Sherry Butt
Age: 14 Years (Distilled 17 May 2007, Bottled 9 May 2022)
Nose: Earth and burning wood, palm debris, tar, subtle salt, oily smoked seafood, hints of antiseptic and medicinal swabs, mellow metallic notes in the background.
Palate: Medium-bodied, caramelized fruits, pineapple, iron and earth, coal smoke, kiss of salt, orchard fruits, dry grass.
Finish: Medium-length and slightly drying with salt, fruit, and a kiss of smoke.
Score: 7+
Mental Image: Beachcomber’s Tinned Fish Treasure Chest
Narrative & Notes: The beach barbecue was on as palm fronds, coconut husks, and various bits of woody beach debris fed a growing fire. Corrugated iron with hints of rust and tar provided shade over dry earth as the sweet salinity of ocean air filtered in with hints of antiseptic and medicinal swabs. Notions of tarry ropes and farm faded as meatier smoked oysters and tinned kippers appeared. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile featured sweet caramelized fruits over slightly acrid coal and a kiss of salt. The beach barbecue continued on the palate as metallic notions of iron and slightly acrid coal fell behind sweet, juicy, caramelized fruits. Pineapple rings sizzled on the grill with more subtle hints of peaches, mangos, and red apples. A mild salinity crept in the background with underlying notes of dry earth, woven pandanus fronds, and hints of farmyard. The finish was medium-length and slightly drying with salt, fruit, and a kiss of smoke.
Wow, this was good. The flavors were clear and present, well-structured, and integrated. If the finish had been longer, this would have been epic instead of just excellent. This cask embodied everything I love in an Ardmore— slightly funky hints of earth, almost farmy at times, with crisp tropical fruits and beach vibes. Smoke threaded everything together, providing an intriguing acrid contrast to the sweet, caramelized tropical fruits.
Overall, a solid teenage Ardmore with a good mix of cask and peat. I really enjoyed the slightly farmy edge that came through; it almost reminded me of Port Charlotte at times. I could see this evolving nicely with time as some of the feistier qualities settled down, perhaps allowing more latent tropical fruits and salt to emerge.
Image Credit: Distilando.com
