Ardmore 9 Year Old 2013 Cask #800220 (Brave New Spirits)

A 9 year old single cask Ardmore released by Brave New Spirits in 2023 under A Cask Noir Production, distilled in 2013 and bottled at 56.7% natural strength with a Madeira profile. Brave New Spirits is a Glasgow based independent bottler operating across multiple themed single cask lines, with A Cask Noir Production carrying their darker label aesthetic releases. 223 bottles for the European market from cask #800220. The 2013 vintage falls in the early Suntory Holdings ownership period at Kennethmont 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 a Madeira seasoned cask through the period. Nine years brought the strength to 56.7%, with no chill filtration applied at bottling.

Madeira at this maturity delivers a distinctive fortified wine character driven by oxidative ageing. Furfural and 5 hydroxymethylfurfural read as caramelised raisin and dried apricot, with the heated estufagem process used in Madeira production contributing roasted nut and toffee notes. 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 long sweet smoky finish closes the profile.