Ardnamurchan AD/

Review #041 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46.8% Comments: technically NAS but compiled of casks distilled in 2015 and 2016 and bottled April 2022 so likely aged 5 or 6 years, bottle 1,493/25,200 of AD/04.22.02, blend of peated and unpeated malts, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Burnished color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it slowly thickens but legs are very slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Sweet and zesty lemon squares, a nice gentle peat smoke, pears, vanilla, and honey. Palate: 34/40 Nice almost milky mouth feel, also very little alcohol burn. Surprisingly simple in the mouth, I get toffee, a wisp of smoke, a dash of salt, and a hint of orange citrus. Despite the lack of complexity it’s still well balanced and very enjoyable. Finish: 36/40 Medium length. Oak spice quickly yields to mild chili pepper heat, then cinnamon and hearty wheat bread. By the end my mouth has a mildly cool sensation which reminds me of having recently chewed on a mint leaf. With Water: A drop of water brings out some additional saltiness to the finish. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: This is a very nice bottle, being slightly smokey, flavorful, yet not overly complex. It always seems to hit the spot regardless of what I’m in the mood for. Personally I think it’s an incredible value at its current price point as well. This one will likely be a permanent addition to my shelf, and I really enjoy how they’ve utilized blockchain technology to enable full transparency of the distillation process of each individual bottle: https://ardnamurchan-distillery.co.uk/newBottles-detail/184845 Price: $48 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

46.8%, Non Chill Filtered, no added colour Nose: sweet smoke - reminiscent of pine smoke in the distance, fresh squeezed lime, chocolate orange being broken open, sea or lake mist with some plant matter. Palate: Sweet smoke up front, honey and oats, salted light caramel, peanut husks and chocolate. Finish: medium long, drying salted dark chocolate with some heathery peat. I ended up stumbling upon Ardnamurchan because I’m fairly biased towards Ben Nevis whiskies, for reasons yet to be discussed and wanted to branch out to something else encompassed by Lochaber. What I found was an oily, salty, “peanuts on the pier” whisky that matched up to the rugged funk of that mountain distillery. This is another fantastic value for money whisky that reminds me of being on the fishing boat, distant forest fires in the background and their smoke gently wafting your way. I very much like Ardnamurchan’s transparency and fair prices and would purchase this regularly.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt Nose: Lemon zest and fresh peels welcome the way with coastal breeze salinity and dense peat. Palate: Crisp green apple and pear rest beside creamy wafts of oaken vanilla and roasted barley. Herbaceous notes of seaweed and vegetal peat bring a dry, smoky edge. Finish: Plenty of citrus on the finish, with more zesty lemon and candied orange. The harbourside peat notes continue, softened by earthen vanilla, and buttery toasted oak. Source : Master of Malt

Nose - i get bacon and meats of the bat! Savory and salty. I get chemical notes, acidic. But overall, a milder nose. Tongue - Very sweet, light and has a lot of meatyness. Light peat, briney. Has a grassy note as well. A very pleasant mouthfeel. Finish is short. Somehow it has some heat or warmth as it goes down. Ardnamurchan has been killing it!

Its hard to say a distillery can do no wrong… but can Ardnamurchan do anything wrong?!? Every release is grrat and for such a young distillery, i am continually amazed! This is their most basic release snd still fire! Peated halfway to the pleasant spoce and fruit that is amazing. Cant wait to see what they do in the future!

Purchased as I explored non-Islay peated whisky. This is much lighter and have much less peat than a typical South Islay whisky. The spirit is 7-8 years old and peated to approximately 18 ppm but it tastes even less than 18, in a way it is similar to a Bowmore. It is an okay dram but nit a rebuy for me.