Ardnamurchan AD 09.20.01 Inaugural Release

Another first release from a new distillery, always something to look forward to. In this case, Ardnamurchan actually waited until their whisky was five years old. This is a vatting of 53 casks: 65% former bourbon casks and 35% sherry casks, both oloroso and PX.

A very herbal nose on lots of green garden herbs like thyme and rosemary, but also juicy pears with a surprisingly salty element. I absolutely cannot hide it’s young age, but does not have to of course. Leave it to breath, though, it can really use some air. It then becomes pleasantly sweet on vanilla and apple sauce.

Nicely oily with lots of honey and a grand dose of woodsmoke. The green elements and the salt return. Surprisingly maritime in fact. And quite waxy for such a young age. I quite like this (much more than I do the nose).

The finish is very short, sweet and peppery at the same time, with a drying terminus.

Nice first release, to be sure, but unfortunately very hard to find. The bottle flippers move faster every time. Luckily I was able to get a bottle through my buddy Manny at the original price of 65 EUR.