Ardnamurchan Spirit 2017 AD (700ml)

This is the second spirit to be released from Adelphi’s new project, "Ardnamurchan", the most Westerly distillery in mainland Scotland. At just one year of age, it's too young to be classified as whisky (three years is the threshold in Scotland). This has not stopped demand massively outstripping supply. Reports have it that prices of the 2016 spirit at auction reached “well above” the original retail price only a few months after its release. These limited edition 'works in progress' will culminate in a whisky that won’t be available until its aged a minimum of seven years, meaning 2021. We recommend you be quick on the draw to secure a bottle.

The 2017 edition is produced using a combination of both peated and unpeated spirit, all of it aged in Sherry casks. The exact regime included 22 American oak ex Oloroso and PX octaves for the peated Ardnamurchan, and 8 American oak ex Oloroso and PX octaves for the unpeated Ardnamurchan. These small (55 litre) casks and warmer maturation environment have resulted in a spirit that has developed considerable flavour and character in a short period of time. All 30 octaves were married in Spanish oak PX butts for 4 months before bottling in the distinctive slate grey bottle reflecting the volcanic past of the local peninsula.

Tasting note: Amber gold with thick tears. Aromas of peppercorns and cereal are also vaguely fruity, then shifting to straw bale and becoming attractively smokey and mezcal-like. Juicy, vibrant malt with a peppery, semi-sweet grassy / fruit mince pie / smokey profile, a fresh-yet-oily finish and a creamy aftertaste that hints at shortbread and chocolate. Precocious for a one year old. The balance is already near perfect. Natural colour and non-chill filtered. 53% Alc./Vol. 2447 bottles worldwide.