Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 North Star Spirits

Ardmore Distillery near Huntly still produces primarily for the famous blend Teacher’s, but is slowly but surely being promoted more and more as a single malt. The new star on the independent horizon named North Star Spirits – run by the ever sympathetic Iain Croucher – was able to put its hands on this young malt that matured on a refill barrel.

My, my… blind I would have said Ledaig. Wonderfully peaty nose with smoked mackerel, oyster sap, wet rocks, hay and lemon juice. Putty and soot complete the near perfect picture. This is one of the peatiest Ardmore to grace my nostrils so far. Wonderful!

The arrival is soft and creamy, but also wonderfully dirty on ashes and soot. It feels like I have some small stones in my mouth. Spicy on salt and pepper, liquorice and something mentholated. Barely any fruit, but a bit of vanilla. In that sense, it even reminds me somewhat of young Caol Ila.

On the finish, it lingers and warms the mouth for a very long time.

Not Ledaig, not Caol Ila, but a ironclad young Armdore and I love it. Ideal to get you through the winter!

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