Ardmore 12 Year Old 2009 Cask #2612B (Whisky Is The Limit)

A 12 year old single cask Ardmore released by Whisky Is The Limit in 2021, distilled in 2009 and bottled at 57.7% natural strength. Whisky Is The Limit is a small European independent bottler with focus on natural strength single cask single malt releases. Cask #2612B sits in the 2009 numbering cluster running from approximately #2594 to #2618 that is traceable across multiple European bottlers, indicating a parcel of casks bought through a common cask broker channel. The 2009 vintage falls in the early Beam Global ownership period at Kennethmont with steam heating on the wash stills since 2001. 303 bottles in 500ml format for the European market.

Filled at 63.5% into a single ex Bourbon refill American oak cask in 2009, the spirit matured at Kennethmont under the post 2001 steam heating regime. Twelve years brought the strength to 57.7%, with no chill filtration applied at bottling.

Refill Bourbon at this strength delivers distillery character with intensity. Cis whisky lactone reads as coconut and pine, vanillin from oak lignin shows as light custard. Steam era distillate sits prominently at the centre with apple and pear esters from the Kerry yeast component. The 12 to 14 ppm peat phenols read as heather smoke, dry leaf and earthy phenolic at moderate integrated intensity. Honeyed barley closes a warm long finish at full strength.