The Ardmore Legacy

Founded in 1898, Ardmore has unusually continued to produce an old fashioned peated style of Highland whisky right through to today. They even used coal-fired stills right up to 2001, when legislation forced their hand. With the new steam coils (the regular approach these days), they tinkered for 7 months creating hot spots and tweaking cut points before they were happy with the character again. Why such persistence? Like many Victorian distilleries, it’s always been crucial to certain blends: primarily Teacher’s in this case.

Today Ardmore’s underrated single malt has both fans who hunt independent bottlings, and those who’ve found this release in particular a perfect gateway to smoky whiskies. Legacy combines 80% (Highland) peated (12-14 PPM), and 20% unpeated malt, for a so-affordable-why-would-you-ever-not-have-a-bottle(?) lightly peated yet fragrant treat.