Ardmore 2012 Cadenhead's Original Collection 11 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : The Ardmore - Speyside

Ruby Port Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

They're doing some experiments at Cadenhead, with Ardmore casks. Last year, I tasted something partially aged in Marsala casks, but they've done another one finished in Pinot Noir wine casks. And this time, they're not shy about it, it's aged entirely in Port casks. And not just any Port, but the sweetest, Ruby Port. We don't know how many bottles went on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light damsons, sweet and syrupy blueberries, crushed red fruits, fairly pronounced vinous notes, but without any bitterness. Muscat grapes, dragon fruit. But behind it there is a lovely varnished woodiness, which adds solidity. On the palate, it's well done, you can recognise the distillery's profile, light and creamy peat with a hint of salt and something dusty, but the Port influence is still important, candied red fruits, blackcurrants, blackberries, redcurrants, well-controlled spices, nutmeg, black pepper. Long and relatively powerful finish, bark, humus, dark berries, almost charcoal. Liquorice, dark chocolate.

 

In Short, 

I think I particularly like Port cask ageing, especially Ruby Port. This one is also very good, as it doesn't completely hide the distillery's profile. As for the price, it's really worth it. I'm seriously considering of buying it.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Granvil Poynter - Cigarettes and Gin