Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 Signatory for Flander's Finest Cask Selection
Sweet & Soot
2 185
Review by @markjedi1
Apart from two Glen Elgin the Flemish collectif Flander's Finest Cask Selection also bottled a young Ardmore. This one is also from the stocks by Signatory. It is bottled in the so-called Un-Chillfiltered Collection, but at cask strength. It matured on a bourbon barrel.
The nose is surprisingly sweet, although it cannot hide its smoky character. I am remined of a white slice of bread and mackerel. Some oyster sap and a whiff of soot. Some shoe polish. A bit of vanilla and some apple in the background. Nice and quite typical for Ardmore.
On the palate, it starts off very sweet with loads of vanilla and honey, but the peat is also much more prominent. It is a lot smokier than the nose promised and actually quite powerful. Herbal and mineral, but also fruity on apples and peach. For a moment I am reminded of Caol Ila, which is always a good thing.
The finish is not overly long, but very interesting on sweetness and sootiness.
This Ardmore powerhouse is very, very tasty. Much more outspoken than the nose let on. Recommended.
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One of these days, I really need to check an indie Ardmore off my list.