Ardnamurchan 2014 Tasting Set Cask #364

During an online tasting on 4th November with Graeme Mackay and Connal Mackenzie we were ensured that the next general release from Ardnamurchan is set for January 2021, but sooner than that we have a single cask to look forward to. But… it will not be this one. This cask sample was meant only to showcase the different possibilities from the distillery. This malt got a finish on a champagne cask from Paul Launois.

Very creamy and honey-sweet nose on unripe banana, raspberries, blood orange, lime meringue, butter cake, cuberdons and a soft peppery note. You’ll be hard pressed to find any maritime notes in this one. The wine cask takes total control and it’s absolutely fine. Vanilla, cocoa powder and a pinch of pepper. This is delightful. Adding some water makes it quite candy-like which is equally good!

Sturdy arrival to be honest. But wonderfully fruity and sweet on more of the same, but with added caramel. Nicely balanced with some tannins from the oak that offers up some bitterness. This one is quite the swimmer too.

The finish is long, bittersweet and mildly drying.

A liquid dessert. Should they bottle this (Graeme revealed that they have 9 more Paul Launois casks in the warehouse), then I’ll definitely get a bottle.