Signatory Vintage Ardmore 9 years 2009: a simple and sharp single malt whisky
Ardmore has never been particularly interested in the genteel side of Highland whisky. Its smoky malt has a rugged, earthy temperament, and this nine-year-old Signatory Vintage bottling does nothing to soften its manners. It is dry, peppery, medicinal and wonderfully pungent, with a brisk saline streak cutting through the honeyed malt.
Distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2019, the whisky spent its nine years in bourbon barrels previously used for Islay whisky. That unusual cask history adds another intriguing dimension to Ardmore’s already peated spirit.
The result is energetic and rather quarrelsome. There is plenty of smoke, but no great weight; the whisky is slender, almost austere, and its most interesting qualities emerge through the contrast between salt, herbs and dry peat.
This is not a Highland malt for those seeking a comforting armchair dram. It has sharper teeth than that.
The Basics
- Distillery: Ardmore
- Independent bottler: Signatory Vintage
- Collection: The Un-Chillfiltered Collection
- Distilled: October 2009
- Bottled: March 2019
- Age: 9 years
- Region: Highlands, Scotland
- Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Casks: Bourbon barrels previously used for Islay whisky
- Cask numbers: 706252 and 706254
- Alcohol: 46% ABV
- Chill filtration: None
- Bottle size: 700 ml
- Status: Discontinued release
Ardmore: The Highland Distillery with a Taste for Peat
Ardmore was established in 1898 near Kennethmont, in Aberdeenshire, by Adam Teacher. The distillery was built to supply malt whisky for the Teacher’s blending business, and its smoky character became an important part of the company’s house style.
Peated whisky is hardly unknown in the Highlands, but Ardmore has remained unusually faithful to the tradition. While many Speyside and Highland distilleries emphasise orchard fruit, honey and delicate oak, Ardmore often combines those familiar malt flavours with smoke, dry earth and aromatic herbs.
Its character is quite different from the maritime intensity of Islay. Ardmore’s peat is generally earthier, with notes of heather, ash and charred wood rather than the powerful medicinal and coastal aromas associated with some island malts.
Signatory Vintage, founded by Andrew Symington in 1988, offers another perspective on the distillery through independently selected casks.
This particular 2009 release belongs to the Un-Chillfiltered Collection, bottled at 46% alcohol without chill filtration. The relatively youthful age and unusual cask history give the whisky an especially brisk, smoky personality.
For a broader introduction to the category, our Scotch whisky guide explains how malt, distillation and maturation shape these distinctive spirits.
How It’s Made
Ardmore produces its peated malt whisky through traditional fermentation and double distillation in copper pot stills.
The spirit selected for this Signatory release was distilled in October 2009 and matured in two bourbon barrels, numbered 706252 and 706254, before bottling in March 2019.
The barrels had previously contained Islay whisky, an unusual detail that may have reinforced the smoky character of the spirit. It is difficult to separate that influence from Ardmore’s own peat, but the combination gives the whisky an unmistakably sharp, smoky profile.
There is no sherry-cask finish to soften the edges with dried fruit, chocolate or heavy sweetness. Vanilla and honey provide some relief, but the dominant impression remains one of herbs, ash, pepper and dry oak.
The 46% bottling strength gives the whisky sufficient energy without turning its youthful temperament into an alcoholic assault.
It makes an interesting comparison with Lagavulin 8 Year Old. Both favour smoke and youthful intensity, but Lagavulin has a more forceful Islay identity, whereas this Ardmore feels leaner, grassier and less imposing.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Pale golden yellow, clear and bright, with a youthful straw-coloured edge.
Nose: Peat smoke, honey and heather introduce a brisk, slightly aggressive bouquet. Coal dust and dry hay follow, accompanied by camphor, menthol and a distinct saline sensation. The fruit remains discreet, emerging gradually through notes of pear and citrus peel. A little oxidised almond and gentle oak spice add complexity, but the whisky never becomes expansive or particularly luxurious.
The nose has a rough, invigorating personality. It is more interested in making an impression than in seducing anyone.
Palate: Sharp, dry and distinctly peppery. The opening brings salt, smoky malt and a flash of herbal bitterness, followed by liquorice and an almost alpine freshness. The alcohol is lively but controlled, carrying the flavours without excessive heat.
What stands out is the whisky’s slender structure. Despite the emphatic smoke and spice, the body remains light, almost fleeting. Honeyed malt provides a little softness, but there is no creamy richness or profound aromatic development.
The peat has character, the herbs are pungent, and the saline edge gives the whisky an appealingly stubborn temperament. Yet the middle palate feels rather undernourished.
Finish: Dry, smoky and moderately persistent, with menthol, liquorice, pepper and a lingering suggestion of ash. A delicate almond bitterness completes the experience.
Our Verdict
Signatory Vintage Ardmore 2009 is a spirited, uncompromising Highland malt. The peat has real bite, the mentholated notes are striking, and the contrast between honey, herbs and salt gives this young whisky considerable personality.
Its weakness is the lack of depth. The palate is narrow, the texture light, and the flavours never develop into anything particularly intricate. It attacks confidently but has little left to reveal once the initial excitement fades.
Compared with the more muscular Big Peat blended malt, Ardmore is drier, less maritime and more herbal.
A worthwhile bottle for peat enthusiasts who appreciate a sharper, less polished style, but hardly an essential purchase at an ambitious price.
Price
Approximately €69 at the time of the original Wine Dharma review. This specific 2019 bottling is discontinued, and remaining-stock prices vary.
Food Pairings
Paella, vitello tonnato, chicken curry, pulled pork, empanadas, hamburgers.
