
Ardmore Legacy Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ardmore · Ardmore Distillery
Ardmore Legacy is the quiet argument that Highland peat can be gentle rather than aggressive. It won't rival the intensity of Islay, nor should it try. This is a gateway to understanding how geography shapes smoke — here it's heathery, not maritime. A genuine value bottle for daily exploration.
Nose
Light peat smoke greets you first, then gives way to honey and green cut grass. A faint orchard-fruit sweetness lingers underneath with touches of vanilla.
Palate
Creamy malt builds into a gentle smoky core. There's a pleasant interplay between sweet honey notes and earthy, mossy peat. The texture is lighter than expected, keeping things approachable.
Finish
Short to medium with a clean smoky exhale and a trace of vanilla.
- Region
- Highland
- Cask Type
- Ex-bourbon and quarter casks
- Peat Level (PPM)
- 10-15 ppm
- Distillation
- Double distilled in copper pot stills
- Maturation
- Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and quarter casks
- Chill-Filtered
- Yes
Cocktail Suggestion
Highland Smoke Sour — 2 oz Ardmore Legacy · 0.75 oz lemon juice · 0.5 oz honey syrup · 1 egg white · Dry shake, then shake with ice, strain into coupe, garnish with lemon peel.
Food Pairing
Smoked trout rillettes on oat crackers
Nestled in the rolling hills of Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire, Ardmore has been producing peated Highland malt since 1898, originally as the backbone of Teacher's blended Scotch.
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