Review #210-211: 1996 Ardmore Old Malt Cask 21 Year Old Casks HL14466 and HL15360

These are two 21 year Ardmore casks both distilled and bottled in the same years.   Both casks are hogsheads but no information beyond that.  I am a fan of Ardmore but they are not a very consistent distillery so it wouldn't surprise me if these was very different beasts.  

Ardmore 21 year 1996 Old Malt Cask #HL14466

Highland- 21 - NCF- NCA - $90 - 50%

Color - Pale straw

Nose - Vanilla, apples, mangos, hints of match smoke, lavender 

Palate - Malt, lemons, caramel, custard
Finish - Long - Granny smith apples, honey, caramel, match smoke, tea

Overall - 6.5 - This was on the lighter side of peat for an Ardmore confining itself mainly to the finish.  The fruit flowed throughout and the there was a lost of custardy caramel throughout the palate to make it a really pleasant dram.  While not the most complex thing, it has enough going on to keep it interesting.  I probably wouldn't buy a bottle based on the sample but I wouldn't be disappointed if I had.  

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Ardmore 21 year 1996 Old Malt Cask #HL15360

Highland - 21 - NCF- NCA - $90- 49.7%


Color - Pale gold

Nose - Pine nuts, key lime pie, granny smith apples, lavender - a bit muted nose but very floral and fruity

Palate - Green apples, custard, porridge, green leaves
Finish - Long - Buttercream, toffee, porridge, burnt match, mashed potatoes

Overall - 7 - This is a different beast form what I was expecting.  As opposed to the fresh white fruit and peat, this is heavy in maltiness.  The maltiness and floral flavors with some peat.  It is different than the typical Ardmore profile but enjoyable.  I think the first is easier to like as a first impression but I feel this cask as a little more going on.  I think it has sold out but it is worth picking up a bottle if sitting on the shelf if you don't mind a little malt in your single malt.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.93

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16