Ardnamurchan AD 01.21:01 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46.8%

Second batch, same recipe. 65% bourbon casks, 35% sherry casks, half peated and half unpeated malt. Ardnamurchan found the ratio they wanted and repeated it, which is harder than it sounds when the casks are not the same from one year to the next.

The Expert's Description

Ardnamurchan AD 01.21:01 is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky composed of 65% ex-bourbon casks and 35% sherry casks and bottled at 46.8%. This second batch ran to 14,676 bottles.

The malt is split evenly between peated and unpeated. That is the distillery’s founding choice: rather than making two separate whiskies they bring both styles together in the same bottle, so the smoke works as a floor rather than the main event. The split between bourbon and sherry meanwhile gives both vanilla and dark fruit.

Every bottle carries a QR code giving access to blockchain-registered production data, and the carton is made from 100% recycled board. The whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla and bright fruit first from the bourbon casks, then raisins and orange from the sherry portion. Beneath sits a dry peat smoke, clear without taking over, and a fresh malt note.

Palate

Soft and balanced. Baked apple, honey and vanilla open, then the sherry’s dark fruit and a lightly spiced warmth arrive. The smoke sits underneath and grows clearer towards the close. At 46.8% the body is good without being heavy.

Finish

Medium length. Malt, dark fruit and a dry smoky edge that lets go cleanly.

Specifications

Name: Ardnamurchan AD 01.21:01 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46.8%
Distillery: Ardnamurchan
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 65% ex-bourbon casks and 35% sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 14,676
Edition: AD 01.21:01 Batch 02
EAN no.: 5060383651324

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Fruity · Vanilla · Sherry Matured · Balanced · Malty

Did You Know?

Every bottle from Ardnamurchan carries a QR code giving access to production data registered on a blockchain: which malt, which casks, which dates. It is an unusual degree of openness in a trade where many distilleries would rather not state more than the age on the label.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ardnamurchan AD 01.21:01 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46.8%

What does the designation AD 01.21:01 mean?

It is the distillery’s own code for the release: month, year and batch number. 01.21 stands for January 2021, and :01 is the batch number within that release. Ardnamurchan uses the system instead of age statements.

Is half peated and half unpeated common?

No, it is unusual. Most distilleries make either one style or the other and keep them apart. Ardnamurchan deliberately brings them together so the smoke becomes one element among several rather than the main event.

What can you see with the QR code?

Production data registered on a blockchain: which malt was used, which casks the whisky rested in, and when. It is far greater openness than most distilleries offer.

How does it differ from the first batch?

The recipe is the same, 65% bourbon, 35% sherry, half peated malt, but the casks are different, so the whisky is not identical. The first batch arrived in September 2020, this one in January 2021.

Is 14,676 bottles a lot?

For a small distillery it is a substantial quantity and far more than a single cask release. This is a core bottling rather than a limited edition, though the outturn is still finite.

How peated is it?

Moderately. With half the malt unpeated, the smoke is a floor rather than a lead role. See our full range of Highland Whisky.