Ardmore Legacy

Thanks for taking one for the team. Although there is some question as to the order ot Traditional and Traditional cask, this one was clearly the NAS follow-up to those.

I note the ABV of 40%, which may be one of the big differences between this one and the TC (46%) that I recently reviewed.

@Nozinan - You're welcome! Yes, the abv is not helping but it really is worth factoring in the cost on this one. I've rated this as I would a malt but if I were comparing this to blends at a similar price then it would be mid eighties, if that makes sense?

Glad I've had a look at Ardmore, and the blend I've made with the IB (and others) is coming along very nicely, but I doubt I'll be looking their way again for a while. A sweet smoky profile that never really grips me outside of Islay/Island whiskies.

@RianC The conversation of relative value has taken many forms on this and other sites.

Personally I do not agree with "it's good for its price" rationale.

To me it's either worth drinking or it isn't. If it isn't then it doesn't matter what the price is. If it is worth drinking then you have to ask "is it worth buying?"

If it's worth buying, the last question is "can I afford it?"

Addendum:

I should note that I, like many others, have gushed over OGD114 and how great it is for the price. But I think that's different. In that case it is a phenomenal whisky, and it passes the first 2 tests with ease. When it comes to the "can I afford it" question, that's when we se the the amazement that it can be so cheap, because other whiskies of similar quality cost so much more.

@Nozinan Dang it !!! I should have asked you for another sample of OGD 114 !!! It really is a terrific whiskey.

@RianC As for Ardmore Legacy, it is an easy-drinking session dram. I’ve shared this malt on several occasions with my wife’s cousin’s husband (did you follow that?) who likes to keep this one stocked. I’m inclined to think you scored it about where I would (I might nudge it up to 80pts, but that’s me). Definitely worth drinking, but it’s not going to make you re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about whisky, the way Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength will, the first time you drink it. Thanks for the review.

@Nozinan - Fair points and I wouldn't necessarily disagree.

Thing is, if you're on a budget and want to buy whisky but can't afford £30+ bottles you may be tempted to look at a blend option. For about £5 more than a bottle of Teacher's you could have this. In that sense it makes it better value imo as you're getting a very drinkable single malt for an excellent price.

@RianC , I love the no-BS tone of your reviews. This another good one.

As for the whisky, there's nothing wrong with a decent little whatever at a good price. I like to keep at least one Plain Jane around just to remind me how good the good stuff is. This sounds like it could fit that bill.

But—about Ardmore's move from the 46% Traditional Cask to this 40% thing, I don't get it. It's like they have no conception of the direction the single malt market has been moving for the past few years.

@MadSingleMalt - Thank you, that's very nice to hear but I always feel I ramble on a bit . . .

I also like to have a more budget blend and/or lesser quality malt on the go for exactly the reason you outline. Tasting the IB after the Legacy really highlights the differences and I feel like if I go straight into a 'better quality' malt I often miss the subtleties that make it so damn good! Got a bit like that towards the end of the Talisker 18 - it was just so damn good and moreish I was quaffing it like juice!

I think you nail Ardmore's presentation policy - I'm guessing they are going down the 'if we sell cheap we'll sell more' line of thinking. Shame.

Thank you @RianC

This malt represents what I feel is wrong with the industry right now. Replacing the 'Traditional' with this and under powering it by 6% ABV in comparison, while charging the same price. I also feel the peat is underwhelming in this one.

I think marketers think the way to reach bigger sales is to neuter peat in bottles.

I don't feel this is a bad malt, it's just a stinker of a replacement. Although, I must say, I wouldn't feel bad using this to add some thump to a pour of Teachers.