Lloyd's Whisky Syndicate N°7 - Ardmore

THE DISTILLERY

The Ardmore distillery was founded in 1898 by Adam Teacher, who together with his brother William Jr were the owners of William Teacher & Sons Ltd. William Teacher Sr was a successful entrepreneur who started serving whisky from a grocery shop in the 1830s and in the 1860s launched the famous Teacher's Highland Cream blended whisky brand.

The Ardmore distillery's purpose was to supply the "fingerprint" whisky for the company's signature blend, to which another 30 or so different single malt and grain whiskies would be added. 

Ardmore was the last distillery in Scotland to make the transition from coal-heated stills to steam and with business booming, 6 additional stills were added to the original 2 reaching a capacity of 5 million litres per year. 

Although the distillery's new owners Beam-Suntory group launched some Ardmore single malt expressions in recent years, the vast majority of the whisky it produces is used for blended products.

THE WHISKY

This whisky has been aged for 11 years (almost 12) in a 2nd fill ex-bourbon cask. As is often the case with peated Highland whiskies, the smoky taste of the whisky carries more earthy notes as opposed to the "briny" peat associated with their Islay cousins.   

On the nose the whisky combines notes of peat, barley and bergamot. Sweet on the palate with floreal, charcoal and salted butter. The finale reminds of Earl Grey tea.

This Ardmore expression is well paired with raw shellfish such as oysters or percebes.