13th October, 2015 by Annie Hayes

Beam Suntory has launched The Ardmore Port Wood Finish, which will join the three-strong The Ardmore portfolio established earlier this year.

The new expression is distilled with the same traditional methods used at the distillery since 1898, before being double-cask matured for 12 years in traditional American white oak Bourbon barrels and then finished in European half port pipes.

The release of The Ardmore Port Wood Finish completes the current range, composed of The Ardmore Legacy — the entry level of the Beam Suntory’s Peated Malts of Distinction portfolio — and two Travel Retail releases: The Ardmore Tradition and The Ardmore Triple Wood.

Gareth Brown, senior director of Scotch, Irish and Japanese Whisky at Beam Suntory, said: “The repositioning of The Ardmore has given us a great platform to build on across our key International markets.

“The success of The Ardmore Legacy, and our recently launched Travel Retail expressions, has established our status in the peated single malt category and The Ardmore Port Wood Finish will further showcase the quality and approachable taste of our whisky.

“The Ardmore Port Wood Finish is an excellent whisky for anyone looking to try something made with traditional methods but offering a taste that sets it apart from everything else. The addition of a 12 year old age statement further showcases the credibility and premium values of the whisky”

The tasting notes are describes as “sweet red apple and honey with the subtlest hint of charcoal smoke” on the palate, with a “smooth, long, lingering finish culminating in the trademark Ardmore dryness”.

The Ardmore Port Wood Finish is bottled at 46% ABV and is now available globally at the RRP of £49.99.