Ardnamurchan AD/02.22

The aroma is robust and deep, beginning with honey poured over charred lemon, grilled peaches, and cantaloupe. Chocolate-covered raisins are present, along with a gentle campfire smoke, followed by honeysuckle and a coastal, rocky minerality. Then come notes of mangoes, pineapple, and sautéed figs, transitioning to ginger, cloves, and sandalwood with a moderate alcohol burn. The taste offers a rich, velvety mouthfeel, starting with creamy orchard fruits, honeycomb, and a mild campfire smoke before a moderate spice gradually fades to dark chocolate-covered espresso beans, Sichuan pepper, and grilled figs. Light floral notes and a coastal, rocky minerality follow, along with candied lemon peel, nectarines, and overripe mango, transitioning to light baking spices and sandalwood with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is long, beginning with a blend of creamy yet slightly tart tropical fruits that slowly recede to dark chocolate-covered espresso beans, Sichuan pepper, light ocean brine, mild campfire smoke, and sandalwood. This is only my third experience with Ardnamurchan, and each one has seemed significantly older than expected from a distillery less than 10 years old. This particular expression has a wonderful profile with honey-covered creamy citrus taking the lead, supported by a gentle seaside campfire smoke and distinctive spices. For about $90 in my area, this is an excellent purchase that can easily rival bottles costing twice as much, and it's one to keep an eye on as their aged offerings become available in the future. Thanks to a friend for the generous sample.

Accessing the QR code reveals extensive details about the whisky's composition and creation. The level of transparency is truly impressive. Even without purchasing a bottle, I strongly advise scanning the QR code on any Ardnamurchan you encounter. This specific bottle is number 66 out of 1200 in this release. The batch comprises 40 casks of peated whisky and 10 casks of unpeated whisky. The majority of the casks are ex-bourbon barrels, with a small number of sherry casks. The aroma presents citrus, with lemon and a hint of orange. There's a touch of sea salt and a faint wisp of peat smoke. Vanilla cream and black pepper are also noticeable. The palate is pleasingly creamy with lemon and pear, and custard. Candied ginger is present. The peat becomes more apparent towards the end of the palate and through the finish, but it's not as intense as I anticipated, given the proportion of peated casks used. The peat is one of several flavors, balanced by the fruit and creamy vanilla notes. The peat is reminiscent of a campfire, slightly briny, and very subtly vegetal. There's a bit of pepper and warmth on the finish, a reminder of its nearly 60% ABV. This is a truly delightful whisky, and after sampling and appreciating both the standard strength release and this one, I've become a fan. It bears some resemblance to Talisker; Ardnamurchan, located on the far west coast of Scotland, isn't geographically distant from the Isle of Skye, as the crow flies. As long as I can acquire these releases, I intend to be a frequent buyer.

Nose: Honey and sweet vanilla are wonderfully balanced by ash and seaweed. Taste: Oily and thick mouthfeel with a creamy arrival. Black pepper and salt, toffee, grilled ham and pineapple, chili spices, and strawberries. Finish: Long. Very long. The saltiness and sweetness linger, with a hint of dark chocolate joining in. This is primarily made with peated barley, but it's so well-balanced and integrated that it's definitely not an overpowering peat monster. A truly remarkable cask-strength whisky.

Reminds me of a main course of shrimp scampi, with its buttery, lemony, salty goodness, followed by a creme brulee dessert offering vanilla, creamy, caramel notes.