Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 52.1%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon refill
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Morisco Spirits
Average price: € 86.00
Official website: moriscospirits.com
Vote: 83/100
This is the second batch for the new Italian bottler, who had already made a name for himself with the first release, but here he confirms his skills as a cask selector.
This time Andrea Morisco has chosen to release a double batch, of whisky and rum, with two examples of each type, and sticking to the line, here you will find our very modest opinion on barley distillates only.
A 2009 Ardmore that spent its ageing in an ex-Bourbon cask (sourced from Koval, no less), which in turn had already contained another Ardmore, thus well characterised and bottled in 2021 at cask strength.
Tasting notes
The nose is rough and full, intertwining notes of anise and leather with pineapple, almonds, Catalan cream and toasted pine needles. A touch of grapefruit and milk chocolate emerge on the length.
The palate is much livelier, with an entrance of ginger and pepper that shoots out citrusy waves broken over fruit (pear, a hint of peach, pineapple), vanilla, candy canes, sweet licorice, smoky juniper wood. A hint of rhubarb emerges on the length, drying out the mouth, thanks also to a slight salinity that pushes on to the next sip.
The finish is quite long, of burnt wood, liquorice, pear, grapefruit and a hint of salt.
This is a tamed, but not overly so, peated whisky that starts out almost subdued and then launches a few bites. It deserves attention precisely because of the nuances that can come unexpectedly, just when your guard is down.