Introduction
I recently came across an independent bottling of Ardmore that caught my eye—not just for its age or ABV, but for its place in a themed release focused on smoky whiskies. This edition, distilled in 2009 and bottled by Claxton’s in 2017, stood among their “Seventeen Smoky Stills” series. Knowing Ardmore’s approach to gentle peat and ex-bourbon cask maturation, I was expecting an honest, unembellished dram that leaned more toward subtle complexity than overwhelming smoke. What I got was something quite restrained, but rewarding in its own way.
Nose
From the first nosing, this whisky opens on soft, dry smoke—more earthy than ashy. There’s a definite mineral quality that reminded me slightly of sun-warmed stones. Behind the smoke, light citrus notes develop, along with faint green apple. Given time, a more herbal side shows up, leaning toward eucalyptus or perhaps dry thyme. It’s not a big, bold nose, but there’s a clarity to it that I appreciated. It’s clean and well-defined, and one that invites revisiting if you’re willing to be patient.
Palate
The palate follows the same quiet path. Smoky, yes, but again in a subdued way—not aggressive or medicinal. The oak comes through with a drying touch, offering a backbone that supports the more delicate notes: lemon peel, green pear, and a faint waxiness. It’s also fairly neutral in terms of sweetness; there’s not much sugary roundness here, which keeps things quite crisp. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a little warmth, and there's a clear echo of the bourbon cask with a lightly charred character.
Finish
The finish is tidy—medium in length, with the smoke lingering longer than the fruit. That dry mineral note from the nose reappears here, mixed with distant citrus peel and a touch of green tea bitterness. There’s also a slightly metallic edge that might catch some off guard. It’s relatively straightforward, but consistent with the rest of the profile—understated, slightly drying, and gently fading rather than lingering dramatically.
Price and Value
As a 7- to 8-year-old single cask Highland whisky bottled at cask strength, it was surprisingly well-priced when it came out. That said, this isn’t a crowd-pleaser or a showstopper—it’s more of a thoughtful, lean expression of lightly peated whisky. For those who appreciate subtlety and honesty in their drams, I think the value was solid, particularly coming from an independent bottler like Claxton’s, who seem focused on quality selection over branding flair.
Background
Ardmore is often overlooked when people think of peated whisky, but its eastern Highland style has always included a touch of smoke—usually milder than what you’d find from Islay. Their production often involves direct-fired stills and traditional dunnage warehouse maturation. This particular release was part of Claxton’s “Seventeen Smoky Stills” project, intended to showcase a wide spectrum of smoky whiskies from across Scotland. It was matured in a bourbon hogshead, which aligns with Ardmore’s typical cask profile.
You can learn more about Claxton’s range on the Claxton’s Spirits site. For distillery information, see the official page for Ardmore.
Final Notes
If you’re wondering whether I’d buy this bottle again—yes, but only if I’m in the mood for something understated. This isn’t a dram that demands attention or wows people on first sip; instead, it suits a quiet evening or a contemplative session. For those new to peated whisky, it could be a good stepping stone, as the smoke is present but controlled. Compared to other Highland peated options, this one feels more restrained than, say, a peated Ben Nevis, but more characterful than a typical unpeated Speysider.
It’s not an everyday pour for me—but for those moments when I want something lean, smoky, and honest, it fits the bill. And if you’re curious whether this bottle still shows Ardmore’s character despite the independent bottling—the answer is yes, just in a more minimal, refined way.