Ardnamurchan AD/10 (10th Anniversary Edition)

50%, non-chill filtered, no added color. Nose: Very fruity – white wine, preserved pears and peaches in syrup, chamomile tea, fragrant wildflower honey, and oat biscuits with a yeasty, fresh bread character. Palate: A distinct white chocolate-forward experience, perhaps with a hint of salt. This is followed by acidic white wine with abundant fruit, finishing with honeyed oatmeal in both flavor and texture. With water: Even fruitier – think oily, thick, fresh white wine. It took me about half this bottle and nearly a year to grasp the excitement surrounding this whisky, beyond it being the distillery's first 10-year release. Before sitting down to write this, I intended to state it wasn't for me. However, time and air have truly allowed it to develop. I still favor my Ardnamurchan with some peat — there's something about that sweet pine smoke that resonates with me. I'm hopeful the two different cask strength batches I've saved won't disappoint. That said, this is an excellent whisky. At bottle strength, it possesses an almost dessert-like white chocolate profile; with water, it transforms into a fruity, substantial white wine character. That adaptability makes it excellent value and a very good dram. I would like to try the new core range 10-year to see how it compares — especially to check for that peat note I enjoy so much.

An outstanding achievement for the distillery's tenth anniversary! It has a very subtle aroma, but a robust palate and delicious finish! This also drinks as if it were older than its stated age, showing characteristics similar to Springbank 10 (though lacking that lovely Campbeltown funk), with flavors of green grapes, mango, and dry white wine. Overall, a stunning whisky perfect for summer, enjoyed with even better company! I'm very impressed that this distillery utilized champagne casks so effectively on their very first attempt at a 10-year-old! I suspect their future core 10-year-old bottling will be peated, at least mildly like the core expression which I also enjoy, but this unpeated version is brilliant!

Hosted a tasting event and opened this exceptional bottle. Nose - Very syrupy, fruit-forward with orchard fruits! Apples, green grapes, a rich yet light aroma. It reminds me of fruit markets in India during summer, the air filled with the scent of various fruits. It has a fresh feel, ideal for summer. A very subtle hint of leather. Palate - Beautiful flavor. Coats the mouth exceptionally well. Very orchard-like and fruity. I detect mangoes, banana, and peach syrup. Medium finish. This scotch is perfect for a beautiful beach day. Sitting by the shore, enjoying the waves, shade, and cool breeze, along with this dram, sounds like a dream. Thoroughly enjoyed this expression from Ardnamurchan. Highly recommended!

Nose: Vanilla, oak, honey, bananas, pear, butter, salt Palate: Apples, vanilla, oak, honey, banana, butter, brine Finish: Spicy oak, vanilla, pear, butter, salt An excellent inaugural bottling of a decade-old whisky.

A sharp, perfumed aroma of white grape musk, slightly astringent. The perfumed grapes transition to purple notes. Dry, with a light oak influence. Gritty apples, pickled ginger, and lychee are present. The cask is dominant. I prefer the standard peated AD.

Notes of sea rocks, celery essence, smoked oranges, chewed Wrigley gum, salty oyster liquid, and simple syrup.