From Ardmore, a lot of amalteurs really enjoyed the 1992 editions. Distilled one year earlier, this Single Malt from the Highlands perfectly plays its rum cask…
Nose : We have a peat that contains a bit of meaty, smoky juice with perceptible iodine. We also have some yuzu, apples, a hint of chocolate, chili, black olives. Apart from a lightly syrupy fruitiness, we have an aperitif, very close to pork products (mix reminding us of chorizo) with a greasy feeling that harmonizes well with the sweetness. It is quite melted and superbly balanced. Water adds a few farm notes. Nothing to say for now.
Mouth : We have a peat that reduces its pork component. If we find a very clear iodine (too much), the meat gets more discrete (the chili stays). We also get the vegetal bitterness (stronger black olive juice) alongside woody notes, as well as a pretty sweet mouth (stronger chocolate). It’s good but the balance is on the edge. Water tends to diminish the salt. The peat gets a bit more neutral (scarcer smoke) but the chocolate perfectly highlights the gourmet aspect. The alcohol perfectly integrates with the flavors. A real good malt.
Finish : It is more meaty, still with this bitter rest proper to black olives (with chili). The aftertastes remains on the olives and gets the sugar back.
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