Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Ardmore.
Bottler: Scott’s Selection.
Region: Scotland/Highland Single Malt.
ABV: 57.5%. Cask Strength.
Age: 26 Years. Distilled in 1977. Bottled in 2003.
Cask type: Sherry Oak.
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.
Mental Image: Tractor’s 10 Years of Service Celebratory Barbecue.
Conclusion: 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.
Final Score: 79.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 