1996 Adelphi Ardmore 21 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A rarity, at least stylistically: Heavily peated Highland malt.

Ardmore have been unshakable as one of the hold-outs still drying their barley with aromatic smoke from Highland peat fires. There's a dedicated following for their whiskies, with indie bottlings being the most distinctive. This is a perfect example.

Tasting note: Matured in an x Bourbon cask. Bright gold. A nose that grabs you with its intensity then surprises with the impact of its peat. A delightful juxtaposition of smoldering pine and char grilled pineapple in the opening pass. Air contact accents fruit sweetness, then hints of dried grass, cocoa and a touch of lanolin / menthol. This glides across the tongue with a superb fruity-sooty-smokey attack, rounding out juicy, oily and peppery with earthy phenols lingering. By Speyside standards, always heavily peated, but this is easily the smokiest we’ve tasted. Quite a treat. 61% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 236 bottles