Heritage Ardmore Old & Rare 31 year old 0.7L 50.2% vintage 1988; Bottle one of 272. A well-aged whisky from Ardmore, bottled by Hunter Laing for the "Old & Rare" series, showing another side of Speyside's character - smokiness. The Ardmore distillery is known for being one of the few Speyside distilleries to focus on smoky whisky, and this 31-year-old whisky shows how it has evolved after more than three decades in barrel. It's still smoky and oily, but its age has mellowed the smoke into a leathery cloak. This pale gold whisky has a nose of coal dust, raspberries, leather and honey. On the palate it's meaty, with oily peatiness and fruity notes, leading to a long, lingering finish with a touch of black pepper. Estimated price: £1,000-1,100