A new batch of Archives expressions has arrived. There’s one obvious hattrick: a 50 years old North British single grain distilled in 1962, but we’ll start with one of the affordable and reliable names: an Ardmore 1992.

Ardmore 20 yo 1992 (48,6%, Archives 2012, barrel #4764, 90 btl.)

Nose: the expected mix of elegant soot with lots of mineral notes and nice fruits. Hints of silver polish. and iodine. Damp charcoal ashes. Pears, gooseberries, but slightly shy and without the tropical notes that we found in other expressions. Mouth: surprisingly soft at first, it takes a few seconds before it opens up. More obvious peat now, pepper, some olive oil. After that, a nice wave of pink grapefruit, apricots and melon. Ashes and liquorice towards the end. Finish: long, earthy and slightly herbal.

Ardmore 1992 is one of the great finds of the last few months and whatever the cask number, they’re at a similar high level. This one has a little more peat and a little less tropical roundness. Around € 80. Sold by the Whiskybase shop.

Score: 88/100