The Ardmore 20 years Vintage 1996

Rating: 17/23 I recall being very impressed by an independent bottling of Ardmore a few years back, possibly around 9 years old. I hope this does not prove to be a letdown. Today, having fixed my fireplace, a smoky whisky feels fitting for a celebration. Nose: Oily apricot accompanied by a smokiness reminiscent of barbecue, along with subtle baking spice notes. There's also a notably strong wort aroma. Palate: Wow! A significant sherry presence is evident, offering sweetness with cherry, grocery store orange juice, ashy smoke like charcoal, hints of iodine, roast meat, faint pear, a whiff of wort, very light caramel, the barest suggestion of dark chocolate, and mild baking spices (allspice, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg). I appreciate the complexity and quality of the flavors, but it doesn't seem particularly aged. Where is the wood influence? Finish: The spices linger slightly, along with the still prominent wort. No off-putting bitterness, but a persistent barbecue smoke remains, though it's subtle. - Conclusion - I enjoy this whisky. It's peculiar and challenging, yet I find its composition appealing. I like its smoothness, but I truly wish it exhibited more signs of age. Nonetheless, there's a pleasant richness present. I believe this is easily a 17, potentially a 21, but not a 22 due to its youthful character. Highland Park 16 Wings of the Eagle (17/23) is richer and smoother, though it lacks the intriguing edge of complexity found here. Paul John Christmas Edition 2020 (16/23) is richer than this offering, but less balanced and nuanced. I favor this one, despite its lighter profile. This side-by-side comparison is slightly disappointing, but I find this expression closer to the Highland Park than the Paul John, leading me to a rating of 17.

A 20-year-old Ardmore, from one of the most esteemed and "hip" distilleries. While perhaps not widely known, everything I've tasted from them has been excellent. This 1996 vintage, 20-year-old whisky is no exception. Bottled at 49.3% ABV, it presents a solid burnished gold hue. On the nose, it's impressive. Immediately, a grassy peat, akin to burning moss, is detected. Smoky. Beneath the smoke lie numerous other aromas: pineapple juice, tropical fruits, and bright, fresh oranges. The presence of tropical fruits on an Ardmore is unusual. The peat dominates the other aromatic notes, not unpleasantly. The alcohol is potent but not harsh. Burnt pineapple, dulce de leche, lemon, and peaches are discernible. After a few sips, a rich chocolate and dry cake aroma emerges. The palate is not its strongest point, perhaps a little thin. Citrus/tropical notes, lime, pineapple, and dry chocolate cake are present. What was perceived on the nose is replicated on the palate. The aftertaste is delightful. The peat reveals itself as ash and smoke. Very pleasant and well-balanced. Overall, this is a very good whisky, highly recommended. If you can find a bottle, you won't be disappointed. Scored 92 out of 100.

I regret not purchasing a second bottle of this immediately, as it's no longer available in Sweden. This is one of those bottles I found myself consistently returning to, foregoing other selections from my collection. The ex-Islay casks are likely from Laphroaig or Bowmore (or both), given that Ardmore is also owned by Beam Suntory. After the glass had been empty for several hours, my initial impression was that the casks were Laphroaig!

An unremarkable, unpeated pour from Ardmore that marked the start of 2020 as my sole 20-year-old Scotch in the collection. This is my first taste from this distillery, and while my initial reaction was even less favorable (reminiscent of stale bread), it did improve as it sat in the glass. I need to revisit this with a clearer head to offer a proper assessment, but this is my initial impression.

On the nose, light, smoky citrus with hints of vanilla. The taste has sweeter vanilla and fudge, plus some peach, rounded out by a subtle note of tar and salt. A really pleasant whisky to relax with after a long day.

My preferred uncelebrated distillery. Subtle smoke, citrus, vanilla, and a fresh sweetness. The finish is longer than medium, with a slightly dry crispness and a hint of light ash bitterness.