2011 House of MacDuff The Golden Cask Ardmore 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

While Ardmore is probably best after 15 years, there are an increasing number of indies around that are generally good values as young-to-middle agers. This is one. Uncut, very approachable with broad brush strokes of chimney soot and dry earthy peat reek perfectly matching the low-key sweetness of the malt. Something faintly fruity develops at the finish, like dried pineapple or green apples. Overall pretty standard for Ardmore, though perhaps deeper and more oily than many recent examples. 243 bottles from an x-bourbon barrel. 52% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.