Ardmore - Traditional Cask

This is an interesting Highland malt. It is peated and finished in quarter casks which imparts more oak flavour. In the bottle is has a full caramel colouring slough I understand this is all natural and no E150 has been added. On the nose I get caramel, orange, raisins, stewed plums, peat and light smoke.

On first sip it is punchy with spicy sweetness, fruity and with a lovely rolling smokiness. It feels powerful although for 46% and is quite rich, not overly complex and it does what it does well. It is flavourful, honest, nicely balanced between sweet, smoke and mild spice. There is a rawness which probably comes from young casks. There is no age statement but I like this honest, upfront diamond in the rough.

The finish is smokey, mild spice and an oak tang and fading dark fruit sweetness. There is a lingering bitterness which is not unpleasant but, u I've some drinks would mean you wouldn't choose this for a long session. More like one you would keep going back to night after night and be sad when it was all gone.

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