Whisky Ardmore 15 ans Distillery Labels 2008 Gordon & Macphail

The Ardmore 15 Year Old 2008 Distillery Labels Gordon & Macphail is a rare expression of a peated Highland single malt, distilled in 2008 and matured for fifteen years under the care of one of Scotland's oldest and most respected independent bottlers.

A bottle presented by Gordon & Macphail as part of its Distillery Labels range, distilled at Ardmore in 2008 and aged 15 years before bottling at 46 degrees. The peat used during malting comes from Saint Fergus, a village in Aberdeenshire, giving this spirit a phenol level between 12 and 14 ppm. Ardmore remains one of the rare Highland distilleries to have consistently produced a peated single malt, and this Distillery Labels selection illustrates the historical and privileged relationship Gordon & Macphail has maintained with the distillery for over a century.

Ageing and Origin

Matured for fifteen years under Gordon & Macphail's supervision, this single malt marries Ardmore's characteristic sweet and fruity smoke with the aromatic depth that long maturation in carefully selected cask imparts. The Saint Fergus peat, with its more herbaceous and less iodine-driven character than the coastal peats of Islay, gives this spirit an elegant and fruity smoke, the signature of Highland peat. Ardmore, founded in 1898 at Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire, remains one of the distilleries producing the celebrated blend Teacher's, and has always produced a resolutely peated malt in a region where peat is uncommon.

Tasting Profile

On the nose, delicate fruity smoke mingles with notes of green apple, lemon zest, biscuit and vanilla, with a hint of ripe pineapple. Beneath these aromatic layers, Saint Fergus peat emerges subtly, carried by the characteristic fruity freshness of the Highlands. On the palate, the whisky is generous and round, revealing notes of apple, tropical fruits, walnuts and citrus peel in a delicate balance between fruity sweetness and restrained smoke. The finish is intense, with a lingering salty touch that prolongs the peaty and fruity aromas of this expression.

The House

Gordon & Macphail is one of Scotland's oldest and most respected independent bottlers, founded in Elgin in 1895. Its Distillery Labels range reflects the privileged relationships maintained for over a century with a handful of distilleries to which Gordon & Macphail receives new make spirits year after year, developing unique expertise in the art of long maturation and showcasing each expression under a distinctive label.

Tasting and Pairings

This Ardmore 15 Year Old 2008 Distillery Labels is best enjoyed neat in a tulip glass, at room temperature, to fully appreciate the balance between fruity smoke and the richness acquired over fifteen years of maturation. A few drops of pure water will reveal more fresh fruit notes and woody complexity. It pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, aged hard cheese, smoked charcuterie, or apple desserts, whose fruity freshness will complement the peaty sweetness and characteristic saline finesse of this expression.