TheArdmore12YOPortWoodFinish(700mL)

<p>The Ardmore 12 Year Port Wood feels like drinking a light, sweet, Highland Single Malt on the patio of a bar in Havana. </p><p><em>Adam Teacher </em>founded <em>Ardmore Distillery </em>in 1898 in the <em>Highlands of Aberdeenshire </em>to fill a specific need. His father, William Teacher, needed a steady supply of Whisky to support their famous blend — <em>Theacher’s Highland Cream. Beam Suntory </em>owns them these days, and until very recently, have treated this fine producer as a<em> “blender’s distillery.” </em>But those corporate mucky-mucks have wised up and have turned their attention to their fine ability to produce fine, <em>premium Spirits </em>on their own. </p><p>One of the things that makes <em>Ardmore </em>so unique is that their malt is one of the very few <em>Highlanders </em>to use peat smoke. That alone is a reason to celebrate their brand and character. They will continue to be a primary contributor to the blended Whisky market, but we are all anticipating a full range of single malt offerings on the come. Just in the last year, they have issued their <em>Ardmore Legacy Single Malt, a triple-wood, </em>and a brand new <em>Port wood finish. </em></p><p>Everything about this new offering makes total sense. Let’s start with the math … A unique, <em>Highland Single Malt </em>producer with a <em>118-year history; </em>plus initial 10 years of aging in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks; plus 2 additional years aging in rich, European Port half-pipes; plus <em>46% ABV </em>and NO chill-filtering; equals… well you know what all that means. <em>It means tasty! </em></p><p>We know it tastes GOOD, but what does it taste LIKE? Remember that this is not your average Highlander… it has a wee bit of smoke. If you have had <em>Balvenie’s Port Wood Finish, </em>then think of <em>The Ardmore 12 Year Port Wood </em>as like drinking that Balvenie on the patio of a <em>Havana cigar bar. </em>It is crisp and lightly sweet with a hint of aromatic smoke lingering in the background. But no matter what, you owe it to yourself to sample this special dram and see for yourself. </p>