Ardmore 8 Year Old 2013 Warehouse Tasting (Cadenhead’s)

An 8 year old Ardmore released by Cadenhead's in 2022 under their Warehouse Tasting series, distilled in 2013 and bottled at 56.2% natural strength with an Oloroso profile. Cadenhead's is the Campbeltown based operation founded in 1842 and one of the oldest continuously running independent bottlers in Scotch whisky, currently operating under J & A Mitchell ownership tied to Springbank Distillery. The Warehouse Tasting series carries casks selected directly for in shop tasting and small format release. Bottled for the Scottish market. The 2013 vintage falls in the early years of Suntory Holdings ownership of Ardmore via Beam Suntory, formed by the 2014 acquisition.

Filled at 63.5% in 2013, the spirit matured at Kennethmont under the post 2001 steam heating regime in an Oloroso seasoned cask through the period. Eight years brought the strength to 56.2%, with no chill filtration applied at bottling.

Oloroso at this maturity drives rancio compounds, dried fruit oxidation products and tannic structure. Furfural and 5 hydroxymethylfurfural from the wood read as walnut and toasted hazelnut. Steam era distillate underneath 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 nutty smoky finish closes the profile.