r/Scotch Ardmore 11

Like the Wardhead, I was super happy to have gotten this. Rather than a sample, for this one I went for a whole bottle. It’s neat to have a cask that was selected by a group of people from reddit intended for us, it feels quite special, and I’m happy to drink it and share with some of my own circle. But just what is it that I’m sharing with them?

Ardmore 11, 2008 Vintage, Highland Single Malt, 57% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on June 19, 2008, aged 11 years in an ex-Bourbon barrel, bottled on October 7, 2019 by Morrison & MacKay, Ltd. for r/Scotch, sold by Fine Drams. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: White wine.

Nose: Medicinal, decaying peat. Seaweed.

Taste: Smoky peat, pepper.

Finish: Long. Pepper and smoke, barbecue spice.

It’s nice to have had a non-Islay peated well like this. My favorite element is that barbecue spice in the finish, it’s like a traditional barbecue sauce flavor, but if it was dry like a rub. The strength makes this a dram you can only savor slowly, and the flavors offered make it one you only want to enjoy that way. Between the two r/Scotch bottles, I made the right call for my flavor preference in which to get as a bottle given I couldn’t swing both of them. This is a home run for the price.

Score: 86