Creative Whisky Co. Peated Highland 8 Years (Ardmore) Review

Here we go with another scotch whisky review that stems from a Malt Nuts event: Creative Whisky Co. Peated Highland 8 Years (Ardmore). Whether you love these or hate these short runs of indie Scotch review know we will be hitting the end of them fairly soon. In the meantime, kick back and enjoy the spoils of our findings.

Creative Whisky Co Peated Highland 8 Years (Ardmore) Review

Ardmore is a distillery that I’ve long been a fan of and I’ve already put up Alexander Murray 13 yo Ardmore and Single Cask Nation 8 yo Ardmore reviews, but I’ve yet to put up an OB review because, honestly, until the night of our Malt Nuts Ardmore Tasting my only contact with Ardmore has been through indies… and so many tasty ones are out there.

When I think of Highland peated whisky this is the profile I think of. Dry and kinda mesquite-like in its smoke and overall delivery, this is a distillery that, while not overlooked per-se, definitely deserves more attention. And I’m hoping this review will help you at least consider an Ardmore the next time you see it. Anyways, time to drink.

“The exceptional whisky inside this bottle is taken from a single cask from the Highlands of Scotland.” – Creative Whisky Co.

Creative Whisky Co. Peated Highland 8 Years (Ardmore) – Details and Tasting Notes

Depth, complexity and a multifaceted character. It’s darn near everything you could want from a whisky like this. She’s a beaut Clark.

Whisky Details

Region: Highlands, Scotland

Distiller: Ardmore
Bottler: Exclusive Malts
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Sherry
Age: 8 Years
ABV: 50%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Cask Ref: AM
Cask No: 017

Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (~$80 when available)

Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruby

NOSE
Smoked meat, dried dark fruit, brown sugar, complex spice, fresh citrus peels and oily nuts.

PALATE
Smoked meat, dried dark fruit, manuka honey, cigar tobacco, complex spice, fresh citrus peels, oily nuts and menthol.

FINISH
Long -> Peat, char, tobacco, dried dark fruit and menthol.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, heavy oily body and a warm sticky feel.

Creative Whisky Co. Peated Highland 8 Years (Ardmore) – Final Thoughts and Score

Aroma is dark and brooding with a meaty, spicy and BBQ sweet profile that I just want to keep smelling; Palate pulls off the same notes but with a pronounced tobacco note; Finish is a long winding fade that goes from sweet to savory and back. I love this whisky.

In a nutshell, this Creative Whisky Co. Peated Highland 8 Years (Ardmore) is like smoking a good cigar while grilling, and then eating, a steak while sipping on a heavily sherried scotch. It’s so darkly sweet, meaty-savory and complex it keeps the senses active and engaged. I love this thing, it’s a beautifully brutal dram.

SCORE: 4/5

Creative Whisky Co Peated Highland 8 Years (Ardmore) Cork