Dewar Rattray Ardmore 1996 (21 year old) 59%
Bourbon Hogshead 149022/ Dist: Aug 1996 Btl: Mar 2018/ Tasted: Apr 2018
A dense and nutty nose with coal/ peat smoke. Some subtle, herbal spirit notes mingle with edgy citrus, crisp barley, lime and greengage. It certainly feels younger than 21, but a touch of baked fruit hints at some age. The barley sweetens with time and a touch of creamy vanilla appears. The alcohol, although on the high side, especially for a 21 is pretty well integrated.
The palate is oily, dusty and herbal with coal and peat smoke notes. Hints of honey, sweet barley and sweet vanilla follow. Intense, mineral and nutty middle with plenty of contained alcohol. The finish is a bit masked but it’s pretty peppery with lingering tar, peat dust and subtle mentholated notes.
A drop of water emphasises the green citrus and vegetation notes, as well as the barley. The peat has disappeared to leave the sweet-ish honeyed notes on display. The palate is very the same as the nose. More sweet barley and oak and less peat, although it does come through on the finish with a touch of pepper and dried fruit.
Whisky According to Chris Whiskyman 