Signatory 100 Proof Ardmore 12 years

Score: 77

Signatory’s 100 Proof Ardmore 12 Year just pulled off a tasting-room upset that’s already echoing through club lore. In a blind lineup, it outshone two 18-year-old contenders, proving that age isn’t everything when raw character and cask craft collide. Bottled at a bold 57.1% ABV, this Ardmore didn’t tiptoe in; it stormed the palate with Islay-born smoke, bourbon-barrel sweetness, and a structure that felt both rugged and refined. The nose opens with a gentle wave of maritime peat—salty, smoky, and just a touch medicinal—balanced by a bright citrus peel note that adds lift and freshness. It’s not overpowering, but confidently layered, hinting at its Islay cask origins. On the palate, the whisky delivers a rich thread of caramel and toasted oak, with the smoke deepening into something more earthy and grounded. There’s a subtle creaminess that softens the high proof, leading into a finish that’s buttery, slightly nutty, and surprisingly long. What made it stand out wasn’t brute force, it was the way everything held together. Despite being younger, it showed a clarity and cohesion that made the older whiskies feel a bit muted in comparison. Crowned the tasting’s surprise victor, it’s more than a bottle, it was beautiful and oily and a great bottle to dive into. *CLUB TASTING NOTES* "A faint hint of an iodine soaked cotton ball toasted between two marshmellows on a stick previously used to scratch ones nether regions" "Peak peat ...cold last nights bombfire in your mouth..." "This has changed my perspective on peaty whiskey for the good." "Meaty aroma and a very fresh woody taste. A back pallet finish. Interesting feeling on the pallet. Definitely give this one a go."