Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Wine
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Adelphi Distillery Ltd.
Average price: € 80.00
Official website: www.adelphidistillery.com
In November 2024, the Highlands distillery celebrated its tenth anniversary (reached in Summer) with this bottling (obviously) of 10 years of declared ageing, a debut for Ardnamurchan, preceded some time earlier by a single cask of the same age.
16,746 bottles were produced from the maturation of unpeated distillate entirely in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, about half of which were aged for over a year in ex-Paul Lanais champagne barriques.
Tasting Notes
You find yourself in the tropics with a nose strongly reminiscent of pineapple, banana and grapefruit, followed closely by white fruit (peach, apple, white melon), apricot, gooseberry and sugared almonds. The latter introduce a base of custard, cinnamon biscuits, candyfloss and a touch of wax, which is more evident in the length. The aromas are crossed by a mineral vein, between chalk and wet stone, with hints of sandalwood and a touch of menthol. Fresh and layered.
The palate is decidedly pungent, bringing white pepper, ginger and tart fruit (gooseberry, currant, grapefruit) to the fore, with a marked vegetal tendency between tea leaves, tobacco, liquorice and cucumber. The mineral notes are confirmed and even more accentuated, with rather lively tannins on a bed of nuts (almond, walnut) and slightly salty crackers, while the pastry aspects are reduced to a minimum, concentrated on sugar paste and honey.
The finish is quite long and astringent, with spices (pepper, ginger), citrus fruits and gooseberries, vegetal and salty notes, and a slight sugary inflection.
Review: The contribution of the champagne barriques is very noticeable when drinking, perhaps a little too much, with a mark that disrupts the elegant complexity of the nose. It remains interesting and very drinkable, but it could have been much more.
Vote: 85/100