Sweetdram Ardmore 13 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Sweetdram Ardmore 13 Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a single-cask peated Highland malt bottled at 58.8% ABV.

Ardmore has been distilling at Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire since 1898, and it is one of the few Highland distilleries to make a properly peated malt, with the barley dried over peat smoke before distillation in copper pot stills. This particular cask was refilled into an ex-Laphroaig bourbon barrel to finish its maturation, which layers Islay's medicinal smoke over the woodier, spicier Highland character. The Edinburgh outfit Sweetdram selected and bottled it at cask strength, and filled just 235 bottles.

Teriyaki and molasses run through the nose and palate, with gentle smoke, salt, roasted coffee and a resinous sweetness; marmalade and stewed fig sit underneath. At this strength a few drops of water help, opening it out into almond paste and savoury char. Drink it neat or with water, not in a mixer.