Tasting notes Ruben Luyten - WhiskyNotes: Score 90/100

Nose: a typical lemony sootiness up front. Then bandages and medicinal herbs, the usual chalkiness and a very light metallic edge. Green fruits appear, like kiwi and Granny Smith, later also some grilled pineapple. Whiffs of old leather, menthol and something like old grease or turpentine in the background, giving this a much older charm.

Mouth: a thick texture, with olive oil and bigger sooty notes than the nose suggested. A really warm smokiness that takes you back to bonfires and coal. Burnt herbs and pine needles, leading to sweet herbs and subtle aspirin. Underneath there is a sweet citrusy theme (lime) with a subtle tropical edge. Very enjoyable, with high complexity.

Finish: long, back to medicinal notes, alongside lemons, dark chocolate and lightly yeasty smoke.

For me Ardmore is at its best when the lactic side is under control and the thick fruitiness comes out. This high class WhiskyNerds bottling is a prime example of what I mean.

Tasting notes Thijs Klaverstijn - Words of Whisky: Score 9.2/10

Nose: Brighter and even fruitier than some other late 1990s Ardmore I recently tried. Lemon zest, white grapes, nectarines, and grilled pineapple parts, all elevated by the faintest notion of wood smoke. A whiff of plaster too, followed by cotton candy, chalk and forest floor. Super sophisticated and truly complex.

Taste: Velvety mouthfeel with elegant tropical fruits, such as papaya, mango, pineapple and lemons, but also touches of resin and soft, extremely gentle smoke. Just a touch of damp oak with moderate, earthy spices.

Finish: Medium length with a whiff of earthy smoke, chalk and lingering, sweet fruits. Ending on an ashy note.

Conclusion: It's been a while since I've tasted it, but my mind kept wandering to a 12-year-old Laphroaig imported by Bonfanti (bottled in the 1970s). This Ardmore could be sort of a modern Highlands version of it. Less ashy and not medicinal, but the same type of old school peat influence and fruits. It's also more polished than most other late 1990s Ardmore I'm familiar with. The finish could be a little longer, but I'm nitpicking, really.

Here's what the WhiskyNerds themselves say about it:

We found a spectacular Ardmore and yes we fell immediately in love with this almost 25 years old expression.

Ardmore with hints of pine, maybe the art is more Ardbeg.

Some Notes:

Nose: lemon, little smoke, nuts, red fruits, apple

Taste: wow, old style smoke, pine and citrus

Finish: chocolate, and again a little smoke

91/92 in our book