Ardmore 12 years Port Wood

About the Ardmore 12 years Port Wood

Ardmore 12 years Port Wood is a peated single malt Scotch whisky from the Highland region of Scotland. The Ardmore distillery built this expression by maturing its spirit in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Then finishing it in port pipes at 46% ABV. Ardmore has stood in the village of Kennethmont since 1898. Adam Teacher founded it to supply peated malt for the Teacher's Highland Cream blend. Which is unusual for a Highland whisky. That peated character still defines the house style today. It gives this single malt a gentle, earthy backbone that sets it apart from its lighter neighbours. The port finish is what makes Ardmore 12 years Port Wood worth seeking out. Where the bourbon barrels lend vanilla, sweet oak and a soft golden warmth. The port pipes add burnt orange peel and a fruity depth. The two pull together rather than competing. Expect woody and smoky notes wrapped around a vein of dark fruit. On the palate it is balanced and easy to follow. Peat smoke arrives first, then mellows into vanilla and a whisper of salt. The oak keeps everything grounded. The finish lingers on flamed orange peel and a final curl of smoke. It is non chill filtered, so the texture stays full and oily. This is a smoky Highland single malt for people who like character without heaviness. Drink it neat to let the peat, fruit and wood reveal themselves slowly. The dark fruit and soft smoke linger well on the close. Ardmore 12 years Port Wood rewards a little patience in the glass. It is a fine introduction to gently peated Highland malt.