Ardmore – 2009 Madeira Finish, Berry Bros. & Rudd (53.6%)

A 2009 Ardmore from the Highlands, bottled as a single cask by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 53.6% with a Madeira finish. It is bottled without colouring and without chill-filtration. The peated malt spent years in a sweet Madeira cask, and its earthy character sits alongside the fruit the wood has added. The nose is earthy, with sweet apricot and plenty of fruit. On the palate it is viscous, with fruity smoke, plums, charcoal, earthy peat, peach and oak. In the finish, smoke comes in waves against an oily fruitiness.