Whisky Review/Tasting: Ardmore Very Cloudy

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Ardmore Distillery, Highlands, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation Date: July 23, 2008.
Bottling Date: February 17, 2017.
Age Statement: 8 years old.
Maturation: Matured in bourbon barrels.
ABV: 40%.
Color and Clarity: Very cloudy due to the absence of chill filtration and dilution to 40% ABV.
Bottle Design: Features "Very Cloudy" in a shaking font, emphasizing its unique characteristic.

General Profile: Intensely smoky and medicinal with a phenolic character.
Nose: Dominated by peat smoke with a hint of vanilla.
Palate: Smoky and medicinal, covering the mouth with a lasting intensity.
Unique Characteristics: The cloudiness contributes to a natural and unaltered flavor profile, with the young age of the whisky enhancing the smokiness.

Production: Ardmore Distillery, known for producing peated whisky for Teacher's Highland Cream blend, showcases its capability to produce a distinctly peated single malt.
Innovation: This whisky is part of Signatory Vintage's unchill filtered collection, deliberately bottled at 40% ABV to maintain its natural cloudiness, a rare characteristic aimed at preserving authenticity.

Distillery Background: Ardmore plays a significant role in the production of blended Scotch whisky, contributing its peated character to Teacher's Highland Cream.
Highlands Influence: The whisky embodies the traditional Highland peat smoke, distinguishing it from the typically more intense Islay peat.

"This is the real stuff, quite young so shows intensity, shows the peatiness." - Horst Luening
"Really intense coverage, the inside of my cheeks. This is what people like." - Horst Luening
Luening conducted a scientific investigation on chill filtration, emphasizing the significance of unchill filtered whiskies in preserving flavor.

Ardmore Very Cloudy is an 8-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, matured in bourbon barrels and bottled at 40% ABV without chill filtration, resulting in a unique cloudy appearance.
It features an intensely smoky and medicinal flavor profile, with a notable peatiness enhanced by its young age.
The whisky is part of Signatory Vintage's unchill filtered collection, emphasizing natural characteristics and authenticity.
Ardmore Distillery's contribution to the peated whisky market, typically for blends like Teacher's Highland Cream, is highlighted through this single malt.
Expert opinions underline the importance of unchill filtered whiskies in maintaining a natural flavor profile, with Horst Luening sharing insights from his scientific investigation on the topic.

Peat Lovers: Individuals who enjoy a strong peat presence will appreciate the intense smokiness and medicinal notes.
Whisky Purists: Those interested in experiencing whisky in its most natural form, without chill filtration, will find this offering intriguing.
Adventurous Drinkers: Consumers looking for unique and unconventional whiskies will be drawn to the cloudiness and the story behind its production.