And just like that Ardnamurchan Distillery is 10 years old. They celebrate their 10th Anniversary with the Ardnamurchan AD/10, the first official 10-year-old released by this west coast distillery. As far as first decades go, I doubt Ardnamurchan could’ve wished for a better one.
I still vividly remember driving past Ardnamurchan when the distillery was still under construction. It was during my first-ever trip to Scotland and we were on our way to Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point on the British mainland.
The 24 miles of twisting single track road weren’t the most comfortable, shall we say. I don’t mind single track roads, but this one is particularly up-and-down. Also, you often can’t look ahead to anticipate oncoming traffic. Not so much because it is exceptionally winding, but mainly because of the trees and shrubs lining the road. Thankfully Ardnamurchan matures their whisky on-site, so at least lorries don’t unnecessarily clog this road.
I’ve since made my way back a few times, once driving up on a day the distillery was closed for unexplained reasons. (Quite the track only to find out you can’t even enter the visitor centre.) Then finally in 2022 I was able to tour the distillery. And yes, this time I had made an advance appointment. I wasn’t going to be driving that road more often than I needed to.
Of all the new distilleries to come online this century, Ardnamurchan might be the most celebrated one. Its whisky is undeniably good. Unexpectedly, I find myself gravitating more towards the distillery’s peated offerings. (Peat isn’t necessarily my preferred style.) But it also makes sense. Peated whisky often shines at a younger age than its unpeated siblings. That certainly seems to also be the case for Ardnamurchan.
Interestingly, there’s not a trace of peat in the Ardnamurchan AD/10. The whisky matured primarily in first-fill ex-bourbon casks. About half was then finished in Champagne Paul Launois barriques for an additional year. At 10-years of age this is no longer an infant whisky. It’s officially a teenager by now. The unpeated spirit might enter a new stage of maturity at this point. And I’m looking forward to find out.
Ardnamurchan AD/10 (50%, OB ’10th Anniversary Edition’, 2024)
Nose: Mature, ripe tropical fruits and orange blossom. Grapefruit, pineapple, banana. I must admit to being impressed by that first sniff. Let’s delve deeper. There’s an undeniably waxiness, just a hint of chalk, then some sandalwood and finally a tinge of syrup-drizzled pancakes.
Taste: Great texture, but it does not entirely live up to the promise of the nose. There’s this slight nuttiness, some oak spices and a touch of ginger. Behind that veneer the fruit slumbers, but it never seems to awaken entirely. Slivers of chalk and a slight minerality, especially after adding water. It also boosts the citrus notes, and seemingly even adds the oily mouthfeel.
Finish: Medium length. A tad dry at times, but also a sliver of golden syrup, cereals and stewed apples.
Photo: Whiskybase
