The true beauty of independent bottlings lies in the profound sense of uniqueness they offer to the glass. If you haven’t read our cover story about the whole collection, be sure to check it out!
Taking a moment to get started and admire this dram, I am captured by the elegance. Anticipation begins with the pour and vision of big, beautiful beads winking back from the glass. The color is light gold like ripe barley in the field. First lift to my nose delivers the signature Ardmore honeyed cereal malt, woven with light smoke and a heavy dose of fresh vanilla. I sat the Glencairn down and walked away for fifteen minutes allowing the whiskey to breathe.
The ImpEx Collection
Ardmore 14 year-old Single Cask
Ex-Bourbon Barrel (#802498)
Distilled June 2011, Bottled Sept 2025
59.2% ABV (Cask Strength)
169 Bottles
Non-Chill Filtered, Natural Color
Nose 91/100
Going deep on the second nosing reveals a giant squeeze of lemon and lime citrus pooling at the bottom of the glass, all wrapped in a warm blanket of lovely campfire smoke. Topped with a dusting of pepper spiciness, the aroma is remarkably balanced, complex, and rewarding. The structural backbone of Ardmore’s signature honeyed barley pervades everything, combined with welcoming aromas of someone using citrus and spices over an open campfire.
Palate 89/100
A pristine lane of lemon/lime citrus and vanilla cuts straight down the middle of the tongue, carrying the nostalgic sweetness of ice cream. Meanwhile, the earthy twiggy campfire smoke rises, spreading to the sides and roof of the mouth before making its way up the retro nasal passage. Adding exactly 0.50ml of water to this high-proof expression unlocks an even more accessible citrus and vanilla presence, making the liquid dance more lively across the palate.
Finish 87/100
A beautiful touch of spicy and bitter oak arrives exactly when needed to balance out the entire experience. It is medium in length, with the warm oak and rich vanilla lingering gracefully.
Final Score: 89/100
This pour is a testament to the power of a simple, balanced, and measured Highland dram. Everything fits beautifully, with the distillery’s inherent character harmonizing perfectly with simple cask influence, soft smoke, and spice. There is something deeply grounding about knowing this experience came from one single bourbon barrel, resting for 14 years in the Scottish Highlands, selected purely for taste by Sam Filmus, and yielded into just 169 bottles. It delivers a profoundly unique, fleeting drinking experience that you can only capture in a single-cask release of this caliber.
If this Ardmore is any indication of the curation quality, be absolutely sure to keep an eye out for the other exceptional expressions rolling out in the ImpEx Collection 5th Edition.
