This Ardmore 1991 seems to be different from the other 1990-1992 expressions we’ve seen in recent years. This one was fully matured in a rum barrel. Let’s see what the benefit was.
Ardmore 22 yo 1991
(53,8%, Malts of Scotland 2013, rum barrel, MoS 13018, 234 btl.)
Ardmore 22 yo 1991Nose: immediately fresh, lots of citrus alongside the soft smoke. Sweet and sour fruits, say gooseberries and tangerine. Slightly candied. Some cut grass, moss and gentle garden herbs. In line with similar Ardmores, not sure what the added value of the rum was (maybe pushing aside the more austere notes), but very good anyway.
Mouth: sweet and sour again, plenty of oranges, lemon candy and zest, pineapple and banana. Indeed those could be signs of rum but regular Ardmores show this as well. Really juicy. Soft peat smoke on a second plan. Some honey. Quite rounded.
Finish: long, now the mineral notes are back (but still quite gently). Smoke and herbs in the end.
I know most people are a little wary of uncommon aging, like (full) rum maturation. In this case the influence is quite subtle, but it complements the natural fruitiness of this kind of Ardmore really well. Around € 100.
Score: 89/100