Ardnamurchan Whiskybase, new make and sherry!
Whiskybase released a single cask bottling especially for their members/shop. We need little reason to dedicate a blog to one of the more consistent and high-quality new wave distilleries in Scotland. As regular readers know, we recently launched a new concept on Long Pour Amour called the New Make Index. We still have some samples from the 1927 project done by James Eadie, which means we can dig into a very interesting new make produced at Ardnamurchan. As a bonus, we also taste the very first release of the Sherry Cask, which we never came round to. The Dutch importer kindly offered to send me some newer editions of Ardnamurchan releases, but they have not arrived yet, so while we wait…
Ardnamurchan New Make Spirit, bottled at 63,4 % abv by James Eadie
First things first: Part of Project 1927 executed by James Eadie. Ardnamurchan made this with great effort to replicate the olden days, such as switching off the automation on the semi-lauter tun (no rakes). The barley used was the legendary old Chevallier. Only brewer’s yeast was used, and a violent fermentation took place for 69 hours in a wooden washback, resulting in a Fanta-like wort. The wash was not pre-heated before distillation. The cut points were taken down compared to a normal Ardnamurchan distillation, switching to feints earlier.
Upon Sipping: So, let us run this Ardnamurchan New Make Spirit through the LPA New Make Index. It is rather difficult to ascertain a lot from the undiluted spirit. It smells like a stillroom with the stills blazing, that’s for sure. Copper and alcohol vapour. Not entirely clean but very characterful. Upon repeated weaving of the glass under my nose, I do pick up raw barley, moist aroma, very interesting. A small undiluted sip is already rewarding. It is kind of light and fruity, until you swallow and notice the thing is still clinging to your palate, so oily it is. So, with water we bring it down to around 48-50 % abv, and now there is a distinctive whiff of coconut and sponge. Warm bread and some hints of limestone. But overall you smell the stillroom. The taste brings on more breaded notes now, but very sturdy, dense bread, pitch black. Lots and lots of barley and a nice, brooding finish, Ardnamurch staying true to their highland roots.
Word to the Wise: This is New Make Spirit that feels more raw compared to the sophisticated style we have gotten used to from Ardnamurchan. That was, of course, the point of the project. The production team itself admitted that the comparison between this Project 1927 spirit and the normal new make is tremendous. I have a feeling this spirit can take a thorough beating from decades in a cask.
Purity: 4
Character: 3
Potential: 4
Score: NMI 4/3/4
Ardnamurchan 2019, 6 years old, bottled at 59 % abv for Whiskybase
First things first: First Fill Bourbon Barrel # 1574 produced 249 bottles of unpeated whisky. Bottled on 11 June 2026 for Whiskybase.
Upon Sipping: I think it is rather cool to go for a 6 years old, while the distillery has now passed the point they could release a 12 years old. How time flies! Putting the glass under my nose, I find the trusted super clean Ardnamurchan that can stand up to almost any cask (but still have to really sit down with the Tokaj release though…). Having it so pure, no peat, no exotic cask, just the simple barrel, is exquisite. Lots of vanilla, custard, lemon sponge and hints of beeswax and honey. At cask strength you will get the full blast of Ardnamurchan, where all the elements you smell also appear on the palate, but the finish is a tad too sharp. We do not mind diluting this stuff a bit. It turns up the vanilla but introduces honeyed sweets, ripe yellow apples and grassy notes. Heather in full bloom. This is highland whisky with a soft side. On the palate, I pick up more fruity notes, brown sugar sweetness, and still quite a spicy exit on the finish, showing some bitter oaky notes. On repeated sipping, you notice how complex this Ardnamurchan for Whiskybase is, as it reveals more and more each time. Maybe some orange peel and bread that is borderline too old to eat, but you still do as there is nothing else on the shelf. Some sour notes. Yeah, it keeps on giving.
Word to the Wise: I could have made this a mile-long review but you better get a bottle for yourself and start studying. I know I did. But Whiskybase was kind enough to send me a sample for this blog, for which I am grateful!
Score: 88 points.
Ardnamurchan 2018 AD/ Sherry Cask Release, bottled at 50 % abv
First things first: From 2018 vintage and bottled in 2023, this was the very first Sherry Cask Release. I never wrote a review for it, so we correct that today as a bonus with this blog. Almost 14.000 bottles were released from this batch (13.998 to be exact) that matured in oloroso and PX sherry casks.
Upon Sipping: Ha, the first thing I notice when sniffing this whisky, is the peated content of this vatting. The new make and the Whiskybase expression were wonderfully clean, but this Sherry Cask Release carries a bratty character. Ashes, cigars, deep red fruits, strawberry cream and crushed nuts. Strong, meaty, earthen flavours dominate the palate, infused with light coffee and dark chocolate notes. The finish is nice and warming, like a cigar smouldering towards its inevitable end. The most impressive aspect of this whisky is how it binds together in amazing balance. And it keeps developing in the glass, because after a while I pick up fudge notes as well. With water, the PX is more present on the nose, while the oloroso shines on the palate. The beautifully ashy, smouldering finish is a highlight.
Word to the Wise: I taste this Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask Release from a bottle that has been open for a few weeks. The oxidation adds some more complexity. When this release will ever carry an age statement, it will be up there with the greats.
Score: 87 points.