
Ardmore 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ardmore · Ardmore Distillery
Ardmore occupies a rare middle ground—a Highland distillery that embraces peat without surrendering to it. This 12-year-old expression shows what happens when smoke serves as seasoning rather than the main course. It's an essential bottle for anyone exploring the spectrum between Speyside sweetness and Islay intensity.
Nose
Opens with a gentle waft of peat smoke layered over honeyed malt and green cut grass. As it opens, peach and a subtle floral rosewater note emerge, giving it an unexpected delicacy beneath the smoke.
Palate
Creamy and buttery on entry, with honey-coated barley and a core of vanilla sweetness. The peat is restrained but persistent, mingling with clove spice and a touch of earthy depth that grounds the sweeter elements.
Finish
Medium-long with a smoky, slightly medicinal fade and lingering honey warmth.
- Region
- Highland
- Cask Type
- Ex-bourbon
- Peat Level (PPM)
- 12–14 ppm
- Distillation
- Double distilled in copper pot stills
- Maturation
- Ex-bourbon casks for a minimum of 12 years
- Chill-Filtered
- Non-chill filtered
Food Pairing
The gentle peat smoke mirrors the fish's smokiness while the honey and buttery notes complement the rich crème fraîche and bright dill.
Ardmore Distillery has been producing peated Highland malt since 1898 in the rolling farmland of Aberdeenshire, originally as the backbone of Teacher's blends before earning recognition as a single malt in its own right.
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