OB Traditional Cask 46% - Ardmore

[TheTross]

Nose: Quite peaty. A little spirity with some nose prickle. Some creaminess, and acts a little like a good-quality blend. Fairly sweet and a touch spicy. Baby sick in the background? Paint?? Maybe a little chocolaty. Some fruit - possibly banana and citrus, and perhaps something a little more exotic. Slight woody notes, with a little wood smoke really coming through after a few minutes. Fresh and quite floral/grassy.

Palate: Fruit and peat, with a little spice thrown in for good measure. Quickly becomes more woody and creamy.

Finish: Fairly peaty, mentholated finish that develops a little caramel. The peat seems to last for ages.


Well balanced and surprisingly peaty, but not really complex or overly interesting. Still, it's pleasant enough and is drinkable. Just be sure to leave in the glass for a while to get the best out of the nose.

[Maccy]

Well balanced and surprisingly peaty, but not really complex or overly interesting. Still, it's pleasant enough and is drinkable. Just be sure to leave in the glass for a while to get the best out of the nose.

Stuart - When I tasted this it was so obviously a major component of the Teachers Blend. Did you think so too?

[TheTross]

Not had either Ardmore or Teachers for a long time, but now you mention it I do recall Teachers having a certain peatiness about it. I don't know how much of what malts go into making it, but the fact that it's produced at Ardmore distillery might suggest that there's quite a lot of Ardmore in it.

I must admit that I like the blend - possibly more so than the Ardmore actually, but again I'm only working off vague memories...

[nulty]

Stuart - When I tasted this it was so obviously a major component of the Teachers Blend. Did you think so too?

According to the MWY 2011, 35% of the malts (which is 15% of the quantity) of that blend come from Ardmore.
So it's not major but clearly important :)

About this NAS Traditional ...



Nose : Peat is there, obvious but not that strong. Oak (or other woods, but I'd say oak) as well, most likely from the quarter casks. Pears.
Light on the palate, I get a sweetness/peatness combo that's quite nice.
A medium long finish, mostly peat but pears come up again.

At that price (17€), hard to find a better single malt.
Very nice stuff.

Just be sure to leave in the glass for a while to get the best out of the nose.

I'll make sure next time.

[Marius87]

Ardmore Traditional Cask (Peated Highland Single Malt)

The nice thing that stands out on the label is that the words "NON-CHILL FILTERED" are clearly stated. There is no age statement on the bottle, but this whisky contains 6-13 year old single malts from Ardmore aged in American bourbon casks and than finished in traditional casks (apparently highland term for quarter casks) for at least a year. This malt is a great transitional malt that can be used by anyone who would like to slowly transition to heavily peated Islay whiskies because it doesn't have the iodine notes. This whisky is also very affordable, no more than US$40-50. I must have overlooked this malt on the shelves over a hundred times, but I hear that the US is limited to a 3000 case supply and quite a few liquor shops were out of stock.

Note: Add a teaspoon of water and let it open up and settle for at least 10 minutes. This one needs a little time to open up.

Nose: Heavy Peat, vanilla, honey, ripe fruit and oak.

Taste: Heavily Peated, vanilla, slightly sweet honey, menthol and bourbon oak.

Finish: Nice long dry and smooth finish with the taste of that bourbon oak and fruit (bananas and red apples) coming through.

In my opinion, the oak and peat mix as well as oil and water. Yet they seem to work out somehow especially after adding water and letting it sit for 10 minutes. The quarter cast maturation certainly adds depth and complexity. Definitely one to experience especially if you like peated malts.