Ardmore – 2008 Caroni Collection Antipodes Single Malt Scotch Whisky (70cl, 57.2%)

This is a 2008 Ardmore single malt from the Caroni Collection Antipodes, bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd at 57.2% in a 70cl bottle. It was matured in a cask previously used for Caroni, the Trinidad & Tobago rum. Ardmore used direct coal-fired stills until 2002, and has four wash stills and four spirit stills, each of 15,000 litres. The whisky is pale gold in colour. The nose shows petrol, oily smoky peat, salt, pear and apple. On the palate come pineapple, Mirabelle plum, vanilla, aniseed and menthol, with more peat than the nose suggests. The finish is long, with earthy mezcal notes, barley sugar, chimney smoke and a hint of tarmac.