Ardnamurchan - AD/ Cask Strength - Release 2025 - 57.7%
At the tip of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, on the west coast of the Highlands, the eponymous distillery produces single malts with a maritime identity. Long fermentations, patient distillation, and precise maturation create a luminous style where fruit, wax, and a subtle salinity coexist. Ardnamurchan crafts two complementary juices, peated and unpeated, for a broad and perfectly readable aromatic palette.
AD/ Cask Strength Release 2025 is the house's raw expression. A blend of peated and unpeated malts aged in bourbon and sherry casks, bottled at its natural strength of 57.7%. Natural color, without chill filtration, to preserve texture and intensity. Plot selection and small batches guarantee a profile faithful to the distillery's DNA, between coastal energy and indulgence. Limited edition subject to cask availability.
The nose opens with lemon zest, ripe apple, and light honey, underscored by a hint of beeswax, dried seaweed, and a delicate smoke. On the palate, the attack is full and precise, carried by golden malt, baked pear, light caramel, and a salinity that tightens the structure. The peat remains airy, evoking embers and cold ash. Notes of red fruits from the sherry, cocoa, and almond add complexity. The finish is long, clean, and peppery, with a salty aftertaste and an echo of orange peel.
At the table, serve this cask strength with smoked salmon, seared scallops, glazed pork belly, mature cheddar, or dark chocolate. Best enjoyed in a tulip glass between 16 and 18°C. A few drops of water open up the wax, citrus, and malty sweetness without dulling the structure.