Ardmore 13 Year Old 2009 (Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers)

A 13 year old Ardmore released by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers in 2022 under the C��rn M��r Strictly Limited series, distilled in 2009 and bottled at 56.5% natural strength. Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is a Glasgow family operation with deep history in Scotch ownership including past involvement with Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch via Morrison Bowmore. The C��rn M��r Strictly Limited series operates as their flagship single cask single malt line, with the Gaelic name meaning Great Cairn. The 2009 vintage falls in the early Beam Global ownership period at Kennethmont with steam heating on the wash stills since 2001. 311 bottles for the Polish market.

Filled at 63.5% into ex Bourbon refill American oak in 2009, the spirit matured at Kennethmont under the post 2001 steam heating regime. Thirteen years brought the strength to 56.5%, with no chill filtration applied at bottling.

Refill Bourbon at this maturity gives a clean oak frame around distillery character. Cis whisky lactone reads as soft coconut and pine, vanillin from oak lignin shows as light custard. Steam era distillate sits 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. Chocolate and dried fruit notes through the palate suggest some second fill sherry influence, with old wood and leathery tobacco closing a long finish.