Ardmore whiskies

History

Adam Teacher, son of William Teacher, drove the construction of Ardmore at the end of the 19th century beside the railway line linking Aberdeen with the interior, which made it easier to bring in barley and coal. The distillery was extended several times during the 20th century and for a long time kept stills heated by direct coal fire, a method it abandoned at the beginning of this century. Almost all its production has always gone into blends, and the malt bottled under its name is relatively recent. With Teacher’s passing to Beam and then Suntory, Ardmore became part of that group.

House style

Ardmore’s smoke is earthier and more herbal than maritime: inland peat, heather, toasted cereal and a sweet background of honey and vanilla. It is a medium-bodied whisky with present but balanced smoke, sitting halfway between the gentle Highland malts and the smoky island ones. Older versions or those with sherry casks gain fruit and spice, but the inland smoke remains the house hallmark.

Where to start

Ardmore Legacy combines peated and unpeated malt and is a good introduction to Highland smoke. If you like it, compare it with Teacher’s, the blend that grew up around this distillery, to see how that character carries over into a blend. Drink it neat or with a few drops of water: the smoke opens up and the honey and cereal appear. It’s an interesting option if Islay’s smoky whiskies seem too maritime or medicinal to you.

• Ardmore LegacySingle malt · 40% ABV