Thanks for checking that. Very interesting that a lot of us are getting the early numbers. Makes you wonder if Adelphi's distributor still has the high numbers. Would be nice because that means it might come back in stock! I've tried most of the AD batches, 02.22 and this sherry release. They're all great in their own way but the ADs are probably the best way to get to know Ardnamurchan. Great stuff 👍
Bottle 736 here for the record. Purchased a week ago in DE. My Madeira cask is 57/5781, bought it and it was gone. There must be some stock of it somewhere.
I hope they never do an age statement, I hope that any of the casks laid for significant years simply go into making all their releases better. Let’s face it, if a limited release of 15 or 18 yo Ardnamurchan came out it would just be snapped up and flipped immediately, we have enough of that nonsense already. Just my opinion of course!
That's a really good point and I agree with you. I'd be happy if they choose that path and whether they do or not will show us where their loyalties really lie when it comes to the enthusiasts. Makes me think about distilleries like Highland Park and Glenfiddich who used to sell amazing entry level whisky because they top dressed it with the old stuff... and now that they keep the old stuff to sell for megabucks the entry level has suffered.
Thanks for checking that. Very interesting that a lot of us are getting the early numbers. Makes you wonder if Adelphi's distributor still has the high numbers. Would be nice because that means it might come back in stock! Cheers 🥃
Exactly.🤔 I checked it again because for a moment I had a conspiracy theory that these bottle numbers are assigned to the order in which the QR code is scanned and are not individually assigned to each bottle. But my wife's phone gives exactly the same numbers, so there is a unique code on each bottle.@@WhiskyLock
Ardnamurchan...decidedly precocious. Sounds like they nailed it, again. Lately, sadly, hard to find anything beyond regular-strength AD in my go-to local whisky shops. I rue the day I drain the last 2-3 pours of my 02.22 CS without a replacement already on hand. I mean, I can hold out only so long! This one looks rather alluring.
Always difficult watching the level get low on a beloved and hard to replace bottle! There is another batch of Cask Strength (AD/09.22 at 58.4%) hopefully some may appear near you 🤞
Yeah, I've been looking for the 09.22 CS for a while now but success eludes me. I won't despair, but I think I'll gnash my teeth at the world from time to time. @@WhiskyLock
"Old man in a jumper eating cough sweets". I would also add "Smoking a pipe of old Holborn". Tried this on a recent tasting online with the Spirit specialist and Ardnamurchan. Good dram but not my favourite of the line up on the night. But this is to be expected as the community has been pressing them for a sherry finish for a while. Maybe too much too soon. As all their batches improvement seems to continue on each release.
Great review Shane. I'm a bit on the fence with this one but when you said Uiegeadail my ears perked a bit! Looking forward to older Ardnamurchan releases but even now they're very very good :) Cheers!
You may be thinking of Whisky Jason 😂 I'm Shane but no bother! £65 is a little high for a 5yo whisky true. At least we get 50% and a perfect presentation though. IMHO if it is overpriced it's only by around £5-10 because what you get is very good. Cheers buddy 🥃
Very Good review. I have a bottle at home and I like it much more with 1 or 2 spoons of water. It makes it less sharp and more sweet and fruity. Maybe i would be ok with it beeing 46%, but more content for the same price and adding water myself is also fine 😅
Great bottle. It's young, no denying it, but the end result is extrememly well turned out. Well worth the money. One to buy a few of, drink one now and then do a side by side in a few years with an older release. I think it's just going to get better and better if it follows the quality set down with this first sherry release. Banger.
Totally agree. I'm very excited to see what Ardnamurchan can do at 10, 12, 15 years... but I also hope they'll continue to do these young releases occasionally as well. If the transparency is there and the price is fair then I think something like this would be a nice core range option to have even once we do have 'better' Ardnamurchans.
indeed. I think we all need to adjust what entry point stated ages are, too. A modern 8 year old is not the same as one created in the 70's/80's - modern wood management and distilling has totally changes the game and younger whiskies are now rewriting what we accept as good (especially when you do blind tastings). It's hard to hind youth when its 3-5 years old but around 8-9 things become much less obvious. And with core 18's now being premiumised (looking at you Talisker, Mortlach, Glenfiddich et al - £100-£200 a pop) the market will adjust to find more pocket friendly choices. What do you thnk about a looming whisky age statement/price bubble? @@WhiskyLock
Great analysis and review. I enjoyed the 02/22 cask strength and hear the 09/22 is even better, which leads me not to rush to get the latest and greatest as appears all their releases will improve in time. But nice to get a snapshot along the way as you have documented. I saw an interview with The Spirit Specialist recently with Ardnamurchan and the he candidly revealed his least favorite so far is the Sherry release, which was another reason I passed on this one. Cheers 🥃
Thanks John. I have a bottle of 02.22 that I'm really enjoying too. It'll probably be my review week after next 👍 Honestly I think I prefer the 02.22 a little but that's probably just my preference for bourbon maturations. I think the quality is very high in both and which one I reach for mostly depends on my mood on the day. To only buy one though... I'd go for 02.22 every time. Cheers 🥃
Great review Shane. I have a few Ardnamurchan's -- not this one - and I am impressed with them. I am a tad concerned that you know what it's like to light up a blackcurrant bush on a muddy, rainy day though😉🤣 Cheers.
Who hasn't done that a couple of times in their life? 😂 I've been very impressed with everything I've had from them too. It's nice to be able to put trust in a brand's consistency. Cheers 🥃
Trying to decide between this and the Lagg Corriecravie…..decisions decisions! Thanks for the review - just makes things even harder 😂 not to mention the new bunna 12 CS which has just been released, oh and Isle of Harris on Saturday….
Sorry 😂 I haven't tried Lagg yet. A little on the pricey side and I've seen mixed reviews. There are just too many new distilleries and new releases these days. I only expected this new distilleries series to last around 6 weeks but its taken up most of the year 😬 so many whiskies so little time...
Honestly, Take both. Lagg and Ardnamurchan are the two best upcoming distilleries and i liked both drams really much. Lagg ist a bit more in the herbal Laphroaig Side. Ardnamurchan ist more like a intense Highland Park.
First time viewer, who’s seen many a whisky review. First glass review sir. Everything you want from a review is here. Never tried an Ardnamurchan before, but looking at buying this new release.
Really enjoyed the nose on this one but I agreed, although enjoyable, the palate lacks viscosity and the finish is short. Dont think bottling it at 55% or CS would have helped that much base on previous limited edition, its just too young or the distillate is just delicate, we shall soon see since they already have 9 yr old casks, so an age statement is surely coming soon
Hi whiskey lock Just watched your video on ardnurmurcan sherry cask, I want a bottle so bad, and I'm thinking of buying a bottle, but the whiskey exchange charges $68.00 dollars for shipping to me here in the US, I have bottles coming from them now, question is for you, is it really worth buying, I love sherried whiskey, but it has to be really good for me to pay for the shipping, it's no where to be found within a hundred miles of me, please let me know if I should pull the trigger, cheers sir and keep the great videos coming !!!
Thanks Frankie. It's really going to depend on whether you get on well with young whisky. Ardnamurchan like this is probably the best 5yo whisky I've ever had... but it is still 5yo whisky! If you prefer more maturity then you might be able to pass on this one. $68 is a fair chunk of change after all!
