Ardnamurchan Spirit 2018 AD

The aroma is malty sherry with a light peat influence. It's fruity with notes of oranges, apricots, and perhaps rhubarb. Hazelnut, pecans, salted caramel, chocolate, vanilla, and barley sugar are present, along with more sherry. Wood spice, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and fennel are detected, along with some brown sugar. Adding water revealed orange and raspberry flavored chocolate. The palate has a sweet heat upon arrival. It shifts towards savory rather than sweet, and even slightly bitter. The peat level is pleasantly medium-light, though more earthy than smoky. Notes of pepper, nutmeg, and chocolate licorice are present. Water reduces the heat and highlights the peat and smoke. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, very oily, and mouthwatering. The finish is long with sherry, oranges, and peat, but also carries a bitter, tannic dryness. This release seems like a wasted opportunity for first-fill sherry casks. Using them for a product that doesn't even qualify as Scotch seems unwise. Those casks should ideally be used for a minimum of 8 years to develop true depth, not just for superficial character. It's possible that lower-quality first-fill casks might be used for a short finishing period, but that doesn't appear to be the case here. Furthermore, the peat and sherry combination didn't harmonize effectively, seeming to clash rather than complement each other. First-fill or even refill bourbon casks would be better suited for very young peated malts, perhaps with a brief sherry or port finish. Sherry might work better with an older peated whisky. This might become a genuine gem in a few years, but in its current state, it's not quite ready for the spotlight. Nevertheless, it has a good flavor foundation. 3.5 stars, and thanks to a friend for the sample. Cheers.

Everyone appreciates a new Scottish distillery. Ardnamurchan is located in the Highland region and has not yet released a genuine whisky; they continue to blend 1-1.5 year old spirit with some 3-4 year old whisky that has been maturing nicely in first-fill sherry casks. This bottling is called AD2018 and is the third such release from Ardnamurchan. Why didn't they just release an official 3-year-old whisky? Well, I'm not entirely sure. AD2018 is bottled at 55.3% ABV and has a natural color, with no chill filtration. I purchased this bottle from a UK store for a rather high $60. Let's explore what might be in store once Ardnamurchan stops 'diluting' their releases and finally offers us an official whisky in the next year or two: It has a caramel and amber color, is quite oily with thin legs and heavy droplets. The aroma reveals fresh-cut oak from the younger component aged for just over a year in ex-bourbon casks. Cinnamon and sherry, raspberry candies, and hints of cough syrup are present, along with the faintest trace of peat smoke. The earthy peat has been replaced by the smoky variety. I appreciate that aspect here—it just needs a little more, in my opinion. The palate also shows nice sherry cask characteristics, indicating first-fill quality. Ripe berries and fruit are followed by a hot, dry cinnamon note around the middle of the sip. It becomes overly dry leading into the finish and leaves you gasping for cool air. The ABV makes its presence known and truly delivers during the finish. It remains hot and dry, slightly salty and smoky with a lingering berry sweetness. Overall, the flavor profile is remarkable for such a young product. The master blender certainly ensured enough sherry cask whisky was used to make an impact, and it works well overall. The fact that they admit to using peated whisky in this blend makes me reconsider because there simply isn't enough peaty character for me. Leave it out or increase it, folks. It doesn't ruin the score, but it makes me hesitate to rate it higher. The price is a bit steep for what you receive, considering its age, but it's still a delicious dram, no doubt. 3.75-4 stars for the overall package, with deductions for the price point and failure to deliver the advertised peat. So, 3.5 it is. Here's to anticipating their first, genuine whisky- whenever that may be. Cheers.

Tonight is my weekly whiskey night, where I have a nice 1 ounce pour while watching Netflix. This pour is thanks to a friend, who sent a generous sample of this new Highlander. As the friend points out, it’s a blend of 3-4 yr old with a new 1- 1.5 yr old. NCF and no coloring. This Adelphi owned distillery is in the remote western Highlands, uses 100% natural renewable resources, and local barley from Fife. And get this...it uses blockchain technology, which helps it in so many ways from logistics, to data analytics, to customer experience. That’s all good...but is meaningless without it actually tasting good. Well...if this new make is any indication...that’s not an issue. On to the taste: I’m getting a sherry finishing...there’s a wisp of peat integrated really well with marzipan, red fruit, and honey. Extremely well balanced considering the age. Drinks like something much older. I wish I bought a bottle. I’ll be a buyer of future releases. Thanks friend.

Ardnamurchan is a new distillery from the proprietors of the independent bottler Adelphi and boasts several unique attributes. First, it's situated on the westernmost peninsula of mainland Britain, necessitating a considerable journey to visit. Second, it claims to be Scotland's most environmentally friendly distillery, utilizing local renewable sources for all its power and heat, and recycling its byproducts. However, how does it taste? Given its youth and limited production, the distillery has not yet released any aged whisky. It is, however, offering a preview of its spirit with this blend of distillate aged between one and 3-1/2 years. (Under Scotch regulations, this qualifies as a one-year-old, even though the oldest spirit in the blend would be considered whisky if bottled separately.) The distillery divides its output between peated and unpeated, producing each for six months annually, and this release combines both from a mix of PX and Oloroso sherry casks. Some of these casks originate from the same source that supplies Glenfarclas, suggesting good quality wood. Indeed, the aroma is distinctly sherry-like, with abundant orange notes. In the mouth, it is very rich and has a consistency more akin to a liqueur than a whisky, but it's evident that the majority of the flavor originates from the casks. The spirit was intentionally designed to be very light for extended aging, making it difficult to gauge its future taste profile after more time and in less active casks. Nevertheless, it is enjoyable and worth sampling, and it fit well within an evening dedicated to tasting Adelphi bottlings.

This was selected some time ago by a friend during the era of the SDT. A new distillery from the Highlands, arriving with anticipation, is represented by this Spirit. It's all new to me as I've never heard or read anything about this distillery. Thanks to my friend for discovering those rare finds and sharing. A fruity and faintly peated aroma; a smoky quality resembling a rubber tire. Whispers of sherry, dark red fruits, black tea with honey, cinnamon, and orange. A subtle sweetness of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate gradually emerges, along with some hazelnut and almond notes. Heat, spice, sweetness, and dryness all hit the palate in an initial burst. The palate is bitter and woody with notes of cinnamon powder spice and black pepper. Barely perceptible are some jam-like flavors of red raspberries or rhubarb with a few slices of apple. Adding water is necessary as it reduces the spice and heat. More flavors of caramel and vanilla cream soda become apparent. Bitter orange, a hint of black licorice, and drying oak tannins conclude the palate with a medium-long duration. A potent opening on the nose with a weakened palate. What is expressed in the aroma is not conveyed to the palate, which is unfortunate. There is potential, but it requires more time in the cask to develop more flavor and fully embody the aroma. It's comparable to picking a fruit before it's ripe: slightly bitter and slightly firm. [85/100][Tasted: 4/24/20]