Ardmore 10 Year Old 2011 Cask #9405 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co)

A 10 year old single cask Ardmore released by The Vintage Malt Whisky Co in 2021 under The Cooper's Choice range, distilled in 2011 and bottled at 51.5% natural strength after a Marsala finish. The Vintage Malt Whisky Co is a Glasgow based independent bottler founded in 1992, with The Cooper's Choice operating as their flagship single cask single malt line since the late 1990s. 324 bottles for the European market from cask #9405. The 2011 vintage falls in the early Beam Global ownership period at Kennethmont with steam heating on the wash stills since 2001.

Filled at 63.5% into American oak refill in 2011, the spirit matured at Kennethmont under the post 2001 steam heating regime before transfer into a Marsala fortified wine cask for the latter stages. Ten years brought the strength to 51.5%, with no chill filtration applied at bottling.

Marsala finishing delivers oxidative wine character distinct from Madeira or sherry. The fortified Sicilian wine contributes residual sugars, caramelised wood notes and a faintly nutty edge from heated barrel character. Cis whisky lactone from the American oak base sits underneath as soft coconut. Steam era distillate shows apple and pear esters from the Kerry yeast component, with the 12 to 14 ppm peat phenols reading as heather smoke, dry leaf and earthy phenolic at integrated intensity. A long warm sweet smoky finish closes the profile.