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Ardmore Portwood Finish

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Distillery/Brand: Ardmore | Region: Highland | ABV: 46% | Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: 21 | Taste: 20 | Finish: 21 | Balance: 21 | Rating: 83

Review
I’ve not had a lot of Ardmore in my lifetime, I’ll be perfectly honest. I’ve tried the entry level Ardmore Traditional Cask which was a good gift to buy given it’s extremely affordable price tag and decent quality.

The other one I’ve had is the Ardmore 25 which is a lovely cask strength whisky. Lots of punch and lots of flavor. Quite impressive.

But that’s the extent of my Ardmore experience.

Then a few days ago I got sent a 50ml sample from their PR/Marketing agency to try and then write about. I know there are some bloggers who refuse samples completely in order to keep their reviews unbiased. Which is fine. I, on the other hand, don’t mind receiving samples since my reviews are going to be unbiased any way.

Like this one.

This Ardmore joins three other expressions released recently, Legacy, Tradition and Triple Wood (the latter two being exclusive to Travel Retail), and sells for around 50GBP. A bit high if you ask me for an entry level with so so flavors.

Matured for 12 years in bourbon and then finished off in European half Port Pipes my sample is from a 50ml bottle and served at 46%

Nose: Smoke. Milk chocolate. Malt. Barley. Leather. Figs. Treacle. Cinnamon. Red apples.. Cigar box. Cowhide. Digestives. Linseed oil. It’s decent. Something is a touch off but not massively. 21/25

Palate: That smoke again. Touch of peat. Leather. Some bitter herbs. Gets super bitter mid-palate and you really have to chew on it to release the other flavors. Turns to a bitter chocolate. Toffee. Vanilla. Dried tea. Some type of varnish. Not what I was expecting really. A mish mash of flavors which, while not disastrous, are not that stellar either. 20/25

Finish: Medium with a drying smoke. 21/25

Overall Comments: What do I think? I think it’s OK. What do you expect from an entry level, right? It’s probably not the easiest to drink but someone who’s not too picky won’t mind this terribly.

Rating: 83

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Ardmore 25

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Distiller:
Ardmore

Region:
Speyside

ABV:
51.4%

Colour:
Pale Straw

Review:
Ardmore is slowly becoming one of my top 5 distilleries and this 25 year old expression has a lot to do with it.

One of the most pleasant noses I’ve come across recently. I expected a slap in the face (51.4% ABV) but instead I got a gentle caress of freshly baked biscuits, slightly ripe apples and freshly harvested barley stewing in the most delicate of caramel. A second nosing brings out what can only be mint leaves strewn on a bed of hay.

A lovely delivery on the palate introduces it’s star attractions; barley and honeycomb. Stay with it a bit longer and you pick up lemon zest and citrusy overtones. As the malt cascades down your throat in a silken delivery you are made aware of the gentlest of peaty smoke and mild spices.

A glorious dram with a finish that stays with you for a while.

Rating : 93

Ardmore Traditional Cask

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Distiller:
Ardmore

Region:
Speyside

ABV:
46%

Colour:
Pale Gold

Review:
This Speyside malt is possibly the best value for money single malt out there. The nose is delicately smoky with a deft touch of vanilla infused apples. Toffee, caramel and honey flow over the palate in one of the smoothest deliveries I’ve ever had. As it goes down it brings up a beautifully balanced bouquet of warm, intimate spices. Finally the finish is satisfyingly long and dry. This one is a Must Have!

Rating : 91