Ardnamurchan AD/10:14 CK.295

Ardnamurchan AD/10:14 CK.295, 10 YO, 57.2%

An Ardnamurchan private cask distilled shortly after the distillery started production in the Autumn of 2014, more specifically on 2014-10-24. Fully matured in a 1st fill Spanish oak ex-PX cask. Bottled 2024-12-02, and limited to 325 bottles.

The Ardnamurchan AD/10:14 CK.295 is available in Norway at NOK 1387 (18918701).

Nose: A delightfully complex bouquet unfolds with dried fruits, a dusting of cinnamon, and classic pencil shavings. The fruitiness deepens with time, revealing layers of honey, more pronounced cinnamon, and a warm note of nutmeg. It creates a mental image of a spiced fruit compote in an old library.

Taste: Full-bodied and confidently intense, the palate follows through on the promise of the nose. A touch dry in style, but balanced by a richness of raisins, dates, and echoes of leather and oak. Almost like a sherry-soaked fruitcake with an edge.

Finish: Medium long, with the rich fruit profile persisting into a more astringent, peppery finish. The white pepper offers lift and contrast to the dried fruit backbone.

Comment: A dense and elegantly spiced dram.

Score 88/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas