Ardmore 12 Year Old Port Wood Finish 70cl

Smoky Highland single malt whisky with a Port wood glow, this one’s for anyone who likes their dram with both grit and dessert energy. Ardmore’s gently peated house style brings the campfire, then the Port finish shows up with dark fruit and chocolatey warmth.

If you’ve ever found peat a bit too “band-aid and bonfire,” this is a smarter on-ramp. The smoke is there, but the Port cask adds a plush, red-fruit layer that rounds the edges and keeps you coming back for another sniff.

The 12-year age statement matters here. Time in oak builds depth, so instead of one-note smoke, you get a proper stack of flavours, toasted wood, dried fruit, cocoa, and a little spice, all taking turns.

• Nose: Heather smoke, raisin, cherry jam, orange peel, and a hint of cocoa powder.
• Taste: Smouldering peat up front, then red berries, caramelized nuts, milk chocolate, and oak spice with a lightly oily feel.
• Finish: Lingering smoke and dried fruit, with peppery warmth and a late flicker of dark chocolate.

This is a great bottle when you want something that can please two different whisky moods at once, the smoky crowd and the “give me something fruity” crowd. It also plays nicely as a single malt whisky option for cocktails that can handle a little attitude, think a Rob Roy riff where Port-driven fruit and peat can show off together.

Bottom line, Ardmore 12 Port Wood Finish is a layered pour that feels like a hike ending at a dessert table. Smoke, fruit, oak, repeat.

Fun Fact: Ardmore has been making gently peated Highland whisky for well over a century, which is basically cheating when it comes to balancing smoke without going full Islay.