Ardnamurchan AD/ Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The latest release from Ardnamurchan is also their first core range bottling. Simply named "AD/", the batch numbers have been removed, with a redesigned front label featuring the Ardnamurchan lighthouse. 25,200 bottles are on offer worldwide - which sounds like a lot - but it's allocated in Australia. We've grabbed as much as we could. The whisky remains an equal split between peated and unpeated spirit, with 65% bourbon cask and 35% sherry maturation.

Building on the profile of previous editions, AD/ is something akin to Ardmore-meets-young Talisker with a splash of Ledaig thrown in for added depth. The first sniff finds grapefruit, citrus, pepper and saline to the fore with a fabulous coastal / low-key peaty drift that develops as rock-pools then earthier, farmyard notes of lucerne mulch and lanolin. You realise there’s something a bit special about AD/ at first taste; mostly, it's the remarkably sprightly nature of the delivery. It's also relatively dry by Highland standards, so you have to roll it around your mouth to extract more of the fruity malt sweetness (strange as it sounds, winter strawberries come to mind). Vivacious, briney and minerally, with sugar sprinkled grapefruit to finish, some bitter dark chocolate too, AD/ is easily one of the more complex young malts money can buy and a whisky that truly conveys a sense of place - the fact that they’ve already nailed a very distinctive style in itself seems like a near impossible achievement. 46.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Notes from the producers... Nose - Toasted marshmallows on a pebbled Fascadale beach, minerals, orange oil and popcorn. Palate - Salted popcorn, smores, pebble beach, mineralic, sea salt, briney, lime cordial, charred marshmallows, bitter orange, dark chocolate, smoky old fashioned cocktail.