Ardmore 2009/2020 Signatory Vintage 11 years old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

The casks had held Islay whisky before Ardmore moved in. It sounds like a footnote, but it changes everything: here Highland peat meets the remains of coastal peat in the wood itself.

Please note: This bottle has wear and rust on the cap.

The Expert's Description

Ardmore 2009/2020 Signatory Vintage 11 Years Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon casks that previously held Islay whisky and bottled at 46%. It was distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2020 in Signatory’s Un-Chillfiltered Collection.

A cask does not forget. If it has held heavily peated Islay whisky, phenols remain in the staves and leach into the next filling. When the contents are already peated Highland malt from Ardmore, you end up with two different kinds of smoke layered on each other: the dry earthy one from Aberdeenshire and a hint of the maritime one from the west coast.

The whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured. Bottling at 46% was chosen to preserve body and mouthfeel without going all the way to cask strength.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dry smoke first, with a suggestion of seaweed and iodine behind it that has no business being in a Highland. Vanilla, malt and green apple from the bourbon wood sit underneath.

Palate

Malty and soft to begin, then the smoke arrives in two layers: first the dry earthy one, then a saltier, more medicinal note from the cask’s past life. At 46% there is good body, and the two kinds of smoke stand clearly beside each other.

Finish

Medium to long. Ash, salt and malt, with a dry close where the Islay inheritance lingers longest.

Specifications

Name: Ardmore 2009/2020 Signatory Vintage 11 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Distillery: Ardmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks that previously held Islay whisky
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2009
Bottled: 2020
Edition: The Un-Chillfiltered Collection

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Maritime · Malty · Vanilla · Dry · Spiced

Did You Know?

Ardmore was built in 1898 by Adam Teacher to secure malt for the family blend, Teacher's Highland Cream. For decades the distillery was almost invisible to consumers, because virtually all of its output went straight into blends. That is why most Ardmore bottles on the market still come from independent bottlers.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ardmore 2009/2020 Signatory Vintage 11 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46%

What does bourbon casks after Islay mean?

That the casks first held bourbon, then a heavily peated Islay whisky, and finally this Ardmore. Phenols from the Islay whisky remain in the wood and carry over into the next filling, so the whisky gains an extra layer of smoke on top of its own.

Is it smokier than a standard Ardmore?

Yes, and in a different way. Ardmore’s own peat is dry and earthy, while the Islay inheritance from the cask adds a saltier, more medicinal note. The two layers are audible separately.

What is The Un-Chillfiltered Collection?

Signatory Vintage’s range for whisky bottled without chill filtration and without added colour, typically at 46%. The series gathers hand-picked releases from distilleries across Scotland, chosen for their clear flavour profile.

Why 46% and not cask strength?

Because 46% is the lowest strength at which chill filtration can normally be skipped without risk of haze. It gives more body than 40% while keeping the whisky more approachable than a bottling above 55%.

How does Highland peat differ from Islay peat?

Islay peat formed in coastal bogs with seaweed and salt water in the layer, and it gives iodine, tar and brine. Inland Highland peat gives a drier, earthier and slightly sooty smoke. See our full range of Highland Whisky.

Does the wear on the cap affect the whisky?

No. Rust and wear on the capsule are cosmetic and do not affect the contents as long as the bottle is closed and the seal intact. It is worth knowing if the bottle is destined for a collection where condition counts.