The Ardmore 12 YO Port Wood Finish

The Ardmore 12 Year Port Wood feels like drinking a light, sweet, Highland Single Malt on the patio of a bar in Havana. 
 
Adam Teacher founded Ardmore Distillery in 1898 in the Highlands of Aberdeenshire to fill a specific need. His father, William Teacher, needed a steady supply of Whisky to support their famous blend — Theacher’s Highland Cream. Beam Suntory owns them these days, and until very recently, have treated this fine producer as a "blender’s distillery." But those corporate mucky-mucks have wised up and have turned their attention to their fine ability to produce fine, premium Spirits on their own. 
 
One of the things that makes Ardmore so unique is that their malt is one of the very few Highlanders 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 Ardmore Legacy Single Malt, a triple-wood, and a brand new Port wood finish. 
 
Everything about this new offering makes total sense. Let’s start with the math … A unique, Highland Single Malt producer with a 118-year history; 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 46% ABV and NO chill-filtering; equals… well you know what all that means. It means tasty! 
 
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 Balvenie’s Port Wood Finish, then think of The Ardmore 12 Year Port Wood as like drinking that Balvenie on the patio of a Havana cigar bar. 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.