Scotch

Single Cask Nation Ardnamurchan 9 Year Old Review

Experience the robust flavors of Ardnamurchan's cask-strength whisky, featuring a harmonious blend of peat, salt, and spice. This Single Cask Nation release offers a truly unique and rich taste experience.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

Sourced from some of the oldest stocks from the Ardnamurchan Distillery, Single Cask Nation has bottled this whisky at cask strength, sourced from Ardnamurchan’s heavily peated stocks.
Appearance:
Dark Gold
Nose:
Peaty, smoky, salted caramel fudge. Waves of salt, seaweed, salted peanuts, milk chocolate, smoky bacon, there’s a real Islay feel to this. I know I’m cutting hairs here, but if you gave me this blind I would be convinced about it being a cask strength Caol Ila/Bunnahabhain.

Syrupy stewed fruits and hints of red wine, weirdly enough. There’s a jammy/red fruit, possibly even cherry note coming out from under the smoke. After a while in the glass it does become very classic Ardnamurchan with notes of sourdough, butter and salt.
Palate:
Salty, oily, peat driven, ashy, salted butter, olive oil, pink peppercorns, jalapeno brine, Sichuan pepper, dark chocolate and loads of fresh, west coast salt and smoke that reminds me so much of why I love Ardnamurchan.
Finish:
All of that classic Ardnamurchan sourdough, bready, yeasty, malty style of spirit with a good wash of salt and mixed peppercorns from across the world. The spice on this is fizzy and ever-moving across the palate. A huge hit of Chinese style spice and pepper.
Comments:
Excellent. A supercharged example of Ardnamurchan that delivers massive west coast smokiness and peat, plus all of the other wonderful flavours that both this cask and the spirit have imparted over he years. Simply wonderful.

With added water it becomes a little more fruit-driven with peaches, apples, and a little touch of pineapple. The smoke becomes a little sweeter and an overall less intense expression, but still full-flavoured.

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.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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