Whisky: Ardmore 26 Year (1977), Scott's Selection

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 57.5%

Cask: Sherry Oak

Age: 26 Years (Distilled 1977, Bottled 2003)

Nose: Glazed ham and apple pie in the tractor shed; orchard fruits and sweet caramelized brown sugar joined with meat and dirty industrial lubricants; apple cider and cinnamon with big rubber tires, engine grease, earth, and a subtle metallic tinge.

Palate: Medium-bodied, charred lemons, tractor tires and engine grease, earth, old grass fire, rusted metal drums, orange cream and hard candies in the background with more grass, tires, and earth; water brought more fruit to the fore and pushed back some of the industrial elements.

Finish: Medium-length with earth, tires, and fruit cobbler.

Score: 6-7 (79)

Mental Image: Tractor’s 10 Years of Service Celebratory Barbecue

Narrative & Notes: A vintage sherry matured Ardmore— though I found the cask influence relatively light beyond occasional fruits and perhaps some of those acrid, almost sulfurous, industrial notes. To that end, this was one of the more industrial Ardmore I have ever tried, reminiscent of the excellent SMWS Ardmore entitled “Robocow,” and somewhat like a Highland version of Laphroaig.

I imagine that had I tried this blind, I would have guessed this was Laphroaig with all the industrial and grass fire notes, which sometimes came across as a touch acrid.  It was an odd contrast with fruitier layers and earthy undertones, though I generally enjoyed the effect.  The back end of the palate and finish were sometimes a touch bitter, and I wish the flavors played a bit more nicely together— everything seemed to be stepping on the toes of something else.

Overall, not a bad whisky, especially for those who enjoy a dirty malt with a feistiness that feels younger than twenty-six years.  Not the sort of thing I would seek out, but fun to encounter.