Just days after I concluded that my whisky collection was missing some decent Ardmore, the WhiskyNerds announced their upcoming release. You guessed it. Missing out on a quarter century of maturation by just over a week, I have really high hopes for this Ardmore 1997 24 Years.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Ardmore. It’s one of those distilleries with a distinct own style, but somehow it remains utterly underappreciated. The peatiness is decidely singular and is usually balanced by gentle fruits. It’s a heavy, weighty whisky that could sometimes use a little polish, but its ruggedness is also what makes it such an attractive whisky.
Yet, even knowing all this, I only had one open bottle of Ardmore at home. One from the late 2000s, so made with the steam-heated stills that were installed in 2001, and not with fire-heated stills. And that’s it. No other Ardmore among the many in my cellar waiting to be opened in the future. Of course, I should’ve stockpiled a decade or so ago, but I won’t dwell. Rectify this oversight, I shall.
Ardmore 1997 24 Years (49.6%, WhiskyNerds, C#901451)
Nose: Brighter and even fruitier than some other late 1990s Ardmore I recently tried. Lemon zest, white grapes, nectarines, and grilled pineapple parts, all elevated by the faintest notion of wood smoke. A whiff of plaster too, followed by cotton candy, chalk and forest floor. Super sophisticated and truly complex.
Taste: Velvety mouthfeel with elegant tropical fruits, such as papaya, mango, pineapple and lemons, but also touches of resin and soft, extremely gentle smoke. Just a touch of damp oak with moderate, earthy spices.
Finish: Medium length with a whiff of earthy smoke, chalk and lingering, sweet fruits. Ending on an ashy note.
Sample provided by WhiskyNerds
Photo: Whiskybase