Ardmore 10 years 2013 - 2023 Benchmark

Ardmore is a bit of an outsider in the Highlands. While most Highland distilleries are known for soft, fruity whiskies, Ardmore boldly adds a healthy dose of peat smoke to the mix. This release from Murray McDavid’s Benchmark series takes it even further with a finish in Pinot Noir casks – an unusual but surprisingly successful pairing.

The red wine cask influence lends a juicy and refined character to the whisky, with Ardmore’s signature smokiness blending seamlessly with fruity, slightly spicy notes. A dram that bridges the gap between robust peat and elegant wine tones.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A delightful mix of campfire smoke, red berries and stewed plums. Behind the peat are hints of vanilla, damp earth and gentle spice.

Palate

Rich and layered with notes of smoked oak, cherry compote, cranberry and a touch of pepper. The Pinot Noir finish brings a soft, wine-like body and beautifully integrates the smoke.

Finish

Medium to long with a pleasant dryness. The aftertaste reveals leather, black tea, red apple and a lingering smoky glow.

Ardmore Distillery

Ardmore Distillery is located in the Eastern Highlands of Scotland, near the village of Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire. Founded in 1898 by Adam Teacher, son of whisky pioneer William Teacher, Ardmore has a rich history of whisky production. The distillery was originally built to support the growing demand for Teachers Highland Cream blended whisky.

A unique feature of Ardmore is its use of traditionally peated barley, resulting in a smoky single malt, a rarity in the Highland region. This gives Ardmore whiskies a distinct and robust flavour profile with notes of smoke, honey, vanilla and spices. The distillery gets its water from natural springs in the surrounding hills, which contributes to the purity of their whiskies.

Ardmore whiskies are mainly matured in ex-bourbon casks, which provides a nice balance between sweetness and smokiness. Besides their peated expressions, Ardmore also produces unpeated whiskies that show a lighter, fruitier side.

The combination of a beautiful location, historical traditions and unique flavour profiles makes Ardmore a respected name in the world of Scotch single malt whisky.

Murray McDavid

Murray McDavid is an independent Scottish bottler founded in 1994 by Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin, and Gordon Wright. The company is known for its innovative approach to whisky, focusing on selecting high-quality casks and experimenting with unique maturation processes.

Murray McDavid bottles whisky from different distilleries, both single malts and blended malts, and often introduces secondary maturities in different types of casks, such as wine, rum or sherry casks, to create complex flavour profiles. They have several series such as "Mission Gold," "Benchmark," and "Cask Craft."

An important aspect of Murray McDavid is their focus on transparency. They provide detailed information about the origin of the whisky, the casks used and the ageing time, which makes them popular among connoisseurs and collectors. In 2013, Murray McDavid was acquired by Aceo Ltd, which expanded their ability to continue producing unique whiskies. Murray McDavid's bottlings are often praised for their quality and the creative way they combine traditional whisky techniques with modern innovations.