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Ardnamurchan Paul Launois 2026 Release Review

Can Champagne casks reveal a brighter side of Ardnamurchan? This 2026 Paul Launois release answers with grapes, pastry and sea-salt snap.

OVERALL RATING

10
$100
  • Mark Bostock, a whisky enthusiast specializing in independent bottlings.
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Tasting Notes

About:

A 2026 limited-edition release single malt from the Highland’s Ardnamurchan distillery, produced in collaboration with renowned Champagne bottler Paul Launois. Distilled in March 2017, the whisky is fully unpeated and matured for almost 9-years before a finishing period in Champagne barriques from Paul Launois. The final spirit was combined with a small portion of bourbon cask matured whisky to bring balance and enhance the fruity character. Natural colour and non-chill filtered, bottled at 57.4% ABV.
Appearance:
Deep Gold
Nose:
Fresh and light aromas, with sweet ripe red apples and white grapes, caramel and honeycomb accompanied by buttery pastries and brioche. There are also notes of white chocolate and lime citrus.
Palate:
Fresh and richly mouth coating, white grapes with a touch of Champagne fizz, accompanied by tangerines and lemons leading to buttery pastries and white chocolate. There’s also minerality, salt and oak.
Finish:
Medium-long finish, with hard lemon candies, sea salt and minerality, with lingering oak. Becomes a touch drying at the close.
Comments:
A fresh and vibrant limited edition Ardnamurchan, those Paul Launois Champagne casks have imparted some sweet notes of white grapes, chocolate and pastries. Although this is an unpeated expression, Ardnamurchan’s characteristic minerality and sea salt is evident. Previous editions have sold out quickly, and it’s clear why this limited release is so sought after – a distinctive Ardnamurchan which shows the distillery’s versatility with a fully unpeated spirit style.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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