Ardmore 2016 Heavily Peated Coopers Choice Bourbon Cask Single Highland Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

Heavily Peated it says on the label, and that is worth reading twice. Ardmore normally sits moderate on the peat, but when the distillery turns it up and a single cask catches it, you get something quite different from the usual Highland smoke.

Please note: The label on this bottle is wrinkled.

The Expert's Description

Ardmore 2016 Heavily Peated Coopers Choice is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a used bourbon cask and bottled at 46%. Cask 8048 was distilled in 2016 and gave 270 bottles.

The Coopers Choice is the single cask range from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co., a house founded in 1992 by Brian Crook. He holds an honours degree in food science and had twenty years in the malt whisky trade behind him, latterly as export director for one of Scotland’s principal distillers, before setting out on his own.

A used bourbon cask gives less vanilla and less colour than a first fill, and that is precisely why the smoke can stand out so clearly here. The whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dry peat smoke first, more soot and embers than open fire. Behind it come vanilla, toasted malt and a light citrus peel. There is a clear earthy note that is Ardmore’s fingerprint.

Palate

The smoke fills the mouth immediately and stays. Beneath it sit malt sweetness, baked apple and a touch of honey, while a dry peppery note tightens things mid-palate. At 46% the body is good, and the cask’s restraint lets the smoke take the lead.

Finish

Long and dry. Ash, malt and a lightly bitter oak note that lets go slowly.

Specifications

Name: Ardmore 2016 Heavily Peated Coopers Choice Bourbon Cask Single Highland Malt Whisky 46%
Distillery: Ardmore
Bottler: The Coopers Choice
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Used bourbon cask, cask no. 8048
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2016
Number of bottles: 270
Edition: The Coopers Choice

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Dry · Malty · Vanilla · Spiced · Earthy

Did You Know?

The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. is behind more familiar names than The Coopers Choice. The house also owns the Islay brands Finlaggan and The Ileach, both bottled without a distillery name on the label. It is an old tradition in the trade: whisky from a distillery that may not be named, sent out under a brand of its own.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ardmore 2016 Heavily Peated Coopers Choice Bourbon Cask Single Highland Malt Whisky 46%

How peated is Heavily Peated compared with a standard Ardmore?

Noticeably more. Ardmore’s standard production sits at around 12 to 14 ppm, which is moderate, while this release was chosen precisely because the smoke stands out more strongly. It is still not an Islay, but it is a long way from restrained.

What is The Coopers Choice?

The single cask range from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. in Milngavie north of Glasgow. The series is known for unusual cask types and finishes, and every release comes from one cask with its own number.

Why use a used bourbon cask rather than a first fill?

Because a used cask gives less vanilla, less colour and less tannin. With a heavily peated whisky that is often an advantage: the smoke needs room, and an active cask would settle over the top and mute it.

Does the wrinkled label affect the whisky?

No. A wrinkled label is purely cosmetic and typically happens during transport or storage, where moisture has made the paper contract. The contents are unaffected as long as the bottle is closed and the seal intact.

How does Highland peat compare with Islay?

Drier and earthier, without seaweed, iodine and brine. Ardmore’s peat comes from inland Aberdeenshire. See our full range of Highland Whisky.

Is 270 bottles a small outturn?

Yes, and it is typical for a single bourbon cask. A cask holds around 200 litres, and after evaporation and bottling at 46% you normally land in that range. No more of this exact cask will be made.