At present we’re placing three Ardnamurchan whiskies towards one another. They’re all between 5 and 7 years previous, kind of.
The primary one is a multi-vintage “signature launch”: Ardnamurchan AD07.21:05 which interprets as batch #05, bottled in July 2021. It is a mixture of peated and unpeated spirit (equal measures) with a cask distribution of 65% bourbon and 35% sherry. Many of the spirit ought to be round 5-6 years previous.
Subsequent up is a peated single bourbon cask bottled by the Thompson Brothers. We finish this session with the first sherry cask I’ve tried from this distillery: AD/11:14 CK.339. It is a 2014 classic.
Ardnamurchan AD/07.21:05 (46,8%, OB 2021, bourbon + sherry, 19.998 btl.)
Nostril: an acidic begin on inexperienced apple, like a tart Bramley apple cider (have you ever tried Excessive Diver?), with lemon meringue and grapefruit peels. Uncooked dough, mash and rosemary on the facet. Later some rounder notes come out, like vanilla, banana and powder sugar. One thing phenolic / mineral within the distance, however the peat appears moderately incidental. The sherry too for that matter.
Mouth: peatier (and sharper) now. A white peppery kick, hints of curry and a few coastal notes (seaweed, brine). Later citrus kicks again (tart orange), with apples and a few vanilla. The spicy and mineral core retains constructing, with a grassy edge. Mild savoury notes (tobacco) in the long run.
End: medium, on pepper and mustard, with a vegetal sweetness within the again.
Strong whisky once more, so long as you don’t anticipate plenty of peat or sherry. Nonetheless pretty younger however nicely made and good worth in case you discover it for the unique value of round € 50. Bought out from main retailers, though native shops will nonetheless have a couple of bottles. TWE continues to be providing samples.
Ardnamurchan 6 yo 2015 (59,7%, Thompson Bros 2022, first fill bourbon barrel #356, 253 btl.)
Nostril: a really related brightness and tart facet. A number of lemon juice, lemon sweet, with hints of floral honey. Loads of malty brioche notes. Hints of custard, inexperienced bananas, unripe pineapples and toffee as nicely. Mild, completely clear and vibrant.
Mouth: sweeter and seemingly youthful than the signature launch. Simply pretty much as good although, with heaps of malty notes and barley sugars, lemons and beneficiant peppery white oak. A barely floral edge. Sea salt and mineral notes. Talisker type, however nonetheless younger.
End: medium, with extra pepper, gentle brine and delicate hints of peat.
A excessive power, bare model. Once more this delicate peaty facet which is extra mineral than smoky. In the long run the peppery notes are profitable, however the spirit is top quality. This was an online unique on the Thompson store, now bought out. Rating: 86/100
Ardnamurchan 6 yo 2014 AD/11:14 CK.339 (59,4%, OB 2021, UK unique, Oloroso sherry cask #339, 665 btl.)
Nostril: a contemporary, seasoned sherry type. Which means dates and raisins, but in addition a varnished be aware, burnt vanilla and a younger plain woody be aware (oak shavings). There’s even an echo of a younger bourbon whiskey (lively wooden). Then wine gums, Demerara sugar and toffee. Wee hints of parsley.
Mouth: related ideas. Extra of those light peaty notes, with a giant peppery and salty facet. Orange peels, raisins and figs. There’s fairly a burning edge to this, with some chilli and a inexperienced leafy be aware that amplifies it.
End: a bit brief, however actually warming. Nonetheless leafy and peppery.
In some way the lively wooden affect make this appear the youngest of the trio. It’s nice however I’m not totally impressed with the pressure-cooked sherry type. Sherry casks easy want extra time to shine? Nonetheless samples accessible from TWE. Rating: 84/100
