Ardmore 2003/2026 - 22 y.o. - Bourbon Barrels - Murray McDavid

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 55.1% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This long-matured Mission Gold release combines two old Bourbon barrels with Ardmore’s smoky character. Distilled in 2003, the single malt matured for 22 years; Murray McDavid married casks 101644 and 101650 and bottled a total of 507 bottles at 55.1% in spring 2026.

The gentle influence of the old American oak allows the whisky’s contrasting facets to emerge clearly: citrus oil, flint and candy meet lemongrass, salted butter and smoke, followed by gentle char, tropical fruit and sweet malt. The release comes in a 0.7-litre bottle, is non-chill-filtered and contains no added colouring.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose brings together citrus oil, fresh flint and candy.
• Palate: On the palate, lemongrass and salted butter meet smoke.
• Finish: Gentle char, tropical fruit and sweet malt linger in the finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

Ardmore was established in 1898 by Adam Teacher, a son of Glasgow blender William Teacher, in rural Aberdeenshire. The distillery stands near Kennethmont on the northern railway line and still draws its water from natural springs on Knockandy Hill. It is known for its smoky Highland single malt style.

Independent bottler Murray McDavid was founded in 1994 by wine merchants Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin together with Gordon Wright of Springbank. The company became known for its diverse cask maturations, particularly in wine casks; its present home is Coleburn Distillery in Speyside. Mission Gold is its prestigious collection for vintage releases and rare or exceptional single malts, grain whiskies and blended whiskies.

Facts: