As tough to believe as it may be, we are fast approaching the end of yet another year. With the New Year right around the corner, we first need to contend with the small matter of Christmas.

Christmas is an amazing time of the year. It’s a time to unwind and reflect, a time to enjoy rich food, a time to relax, and a time to sit back and put your feet up in front of the fire with a wee dram in one hand, and a good book in the other.

As the festive season is the perfect time to pour yourself a glass or two of whisky, why not treat yourself, or a loved one, to something special and a little different such as the Ardmore Christmas 8-year-old single cask, single malt whisky?

In the words of Victor McDade ‘once ye’ve had malt, ye’ve touched the stars’. Here’s a look at why this is the ultimate Christmas gift idea.

A Brief History of the Ardmore Distillery

Founded by Adam Teacher, back in 1898, just a stone’s throw away from the picturesque village of Kennethmont, Scotland, the Ardmore distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery with a rich and storied history of whisky making.

Teacher chose the spot as it was rural, there was a plentiful supply of peat, there was water, and barley was grown and harvested nearby. From a business standpoint, it made perfect sense.

Up until the 1970s, the distillery had its own maltings, as well as its own cooperage until the 1980s. The stills were fired by coal up to 2001. When the fires were removed, the distillery knew they needed to replicate the taste the fires produced. They came up with the ingenious idea of creating new steam coils, complete with kinks in them to replicate the ‘hot spots’ found within the stills that gave the malt its unmistakable flavour and aroma.

The water for the whisky produced here comes from natural water sources located at Knockandy Hill. It’s like no other, with just the right balance of minerals.

The distillery has four spirit stills and four wash stills, each one offering a capacity of 15,000 litres.

Why The Christmas 2022 Ardmore 8 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt is the Ideal Holiday Gift

Coming from a distillery as prestigious as Ardmore, and with such a rich and storied history of whisky making behind it, you know that any whisky produced here is going to be special, and the 2022 Christmas Ardmore single cask, single malt whisky is certainly that.

From Ardmore’s Christmas Series, this whisky offers plenty of highland peat smoke on the nose and palate, along with fruity notes from the Oloroso sherry cask it has been aged in. There is just a hint of spice there, particularly peppercorns with suggestions of fennel hiding in the background. The finish is dry, with just the right amount of smoothness and “burn” that malt whisky lovers can’t get enough of.

At 48.2% ABV, this festive beauty has a kick, but is much smoother than you’d expect for a tipple so compelling and potent. 

With Christmas just around the corner, be sure to head on over to Greatdrams.com to secure your bottle. Be quick, this selection is limited to just 200 bottles, so once they’re gone, they’re gone.