1997 Ardmore 25 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Refill Hogshead Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
($199.99)
K&L Notes: This unprecedented cask of Ardmore is as unusual as it is delicious. The famous Highland peater was built at Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire in 1898. The spiritual home of the once popular Teacher’s Highland Cream, its original owner was in fact the son of the founder of that brand, Adam Teacher. This barrel was distilled prior to the distillery’s transition from coal-fired stills to gas in 2001, one of the last distilleries to do so. It boasts the ability to produce nearly 5.5 million liters of pure alcohol a year with eight working stills. Nearly all of that is made with heavily peated barley. The distillery has remained relatively unknown, although the eastern Highlands is becoming a more significant corner of the single-malt landscape, thanks to improvements over the last two decades of its two major neighbors, Glendronach and Glen Garioch. The enigmatic offering is one of the only casks we’ve ever seen from this special distillery to feature less peated barley. That said, the constant use of heavily peated barley remains in the system, so a very subtle smoke character remains in the whisky, but by no means is it the standard Ardmore. Add more than 2.5 decades and you’ve got an absolute gem. So, if you’re looking for great, old-school malt but aren’t a fan of the smokey stuff, or you’re just looking to expand your understanding of Scotch malt in a general sense, you’ll not want to miss this old Highlander. Exceptional in its own right, it represents a true oddity very unlikely to be seen again.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 14, 2023
This awesome little oddity is more than just a quirk. It’s a gorgeous Highlander in the most old-school style. We thought it was very strange when our supplier said they had an unpeated Ardmore, and it’s true that it doesn’t have the same intense highland peat that we see in many younger Ardmores, but there’s still this twinge of old-school smoke here that’s reminiscent of the old Highland way. After 25 years in an old Hogshead, this whisky has developed some serious complexity. It does, like many old malts, love air and needs some time in the glass to fully open, but once it does, very few modern malts compare to this eclectic style. Here we go. The color is old gold. The nose (after aeration) is a stunning mixture of wild honey, roasted heather, dried herbs, bitter bark, candied stone fruits, and clean white smoke in the distance. On the palate, much more honey, toasted fresh bread, touches of pulverized limestone/chalk, burning citrus oils, snappy dried stone fruits, and a sweet, roasted lingering smoke. Lots and lots of sweet jams and wild herbs poking up on the very long, long finish. This is a dream to drink. Totally spectacular and will likely fly under the radar, but when you walk back to that first glass after a 30+-minute aeration, you’ll know that this is really one of a kind.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 08, 2023
This delightful cask is an unusual treat in a very unique style. Unpeated in its production, but with a distinct peaty bent in the final product thanks to residual peat in the stills, it’s a bit like someone that grew up with a Southern drawl then moved to a big city years ago and now just has a slight twang. It’s a twang of peat, and it’s delicious. If you’re a fan of Oban and the level of peat you find there, you’re sure to enjoy this cask. Add on top of that the fact it’s a 25-year-old single malt at a screaming price and you going to love it. The color is bright gold. The nose is a mix of peat, ripe fruits, cut grass, vanilla extract, and Hawaiian King bread rolls. The palate is full of buttered toast, marmalade, and gentle smoke. The finish at 53.3% is surprisingly powerful for such an old spirit and the bit of smoke that is there is long and cool.
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