Ardmore, located near Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire, was founded in 1898 and produces quite a peaty style by Highland standards. The distillery was one of the last to move away from direct coal, meaning the stills have thicker than usual bases. “I love idiosyncratic distillates, whiskies with unique personalities that are easy to pick out amongst the crowd and Ardmore is absolutely one of these gems. I’ve never been sure why Ardmore isn’t a bigger name, but with it’s earthy, dry peaty character I’m exceptionally glad we’re able to source the odd cask.” The unique earthy wood smoke drifting out of the glass can only announce the arrival of Ardmore, one of the Highland’s most characterful drams. Ash, hessian, kippers and digestive biscuits mingle with great balance, with a hint of tobacco and fruit cake appearing after some time in the glass. The palate is tremendously smoky, yet still very subtle, with notes of cedar, smoked straw, pipe tobacco and lime zest. Woodland bonfire smoke lasts long on the palate. This is the perfect hill-walking dram – enjoy it at cask strength in gale force wind and rain. “A creamy, biscuity nose develops with concentrated honey drizzled oat cake infused in peat smoke. Behind lies a drift of yellow fruit skins, soft vanilla and pipe tobacco. The palate is immediately peaty with a stinging smokiness dominating until ripe banana reigns things back. A good length finish and peaty to the last.”