Ardnamurchan 2016 6 Year Old Obscurities And Curiosities & Ardnamurchan AD/06:15 Cask 294 (IWBOS)

Ardnamurchan 2016 6 Year Old Obscurities And Curiosities

Region: Highlands

ABV: 55.4%

Price: £86.00

Distilled in December 2016 and bottled in April 2023, this release was matured in a sherry butt. A total of 293 bottles were made available.

Nose

The nose presents a blend of red cola, burnt gingerbread, Terry's chocolate orange, and fresh apricots, accompanied by rich tea biscuits, orange rind, and lemon juice. There is also a syrupy quality that evokes the essence of a breakfast cereal bar, combining oats, honey, and cashew nuts. The alcohol is well integrated, with the cask maturation having enhanced rather than overwhelmed the spirit character.

Palate

On the palate, like the nose, you'll find flavours of Terry's chocolate orange and gingerbread, complemented by cashew nuts and brown sugar. There are also notes of honey and lemon Lockets, along with golden syrup. The mouthfeel is somewhat thin. The long finish is dominated by a little too much gingerbread and cinnamon spice, which slightly overpower the sweeter notes.

Nose (with water)

Adding water to this whisky doesn't result in significant changes. There's a hint of warehouse funk, and the honey becomes more pronounced, while the fresh apricots transform into a richer, jam-like quality. Despite leaving it in the glass for 15 minutes to allow it to develop, the end result was just an accentuation of the citrus notes.

Palate (with water)

Mouthfeel hasn’t benefited from water. It’s very honey forward now, with most of the other notes dimmed in comparison. We’re finding less spice on the finish which has maintained its good length. It’s not terrible, but is definitely more one dimensional now.

Conclusion

Not our favourite Ardnamurchan if we’re being honest. While the nose was promising, the palate doesn't deliver the spirit notes we typically enjoy. Additionally, both the mouthfeel and finish were somewhat disappointing.

Score: 6/10

Value

This is priced in line with other IB releases of Ardnamurchan.

Ardnamurchan AD/06:15 Cask 294 (IWBOS)

Region: Highlands

ABV: 57.1%

Price: £85.00

This Ardnamurchan release is a peated whisky from 2015, matured in a first-fill bourbon cask and bottled exclusively for the Independent Whisky Bars of Scotland. A total of 254 bottles were released.

Nose

On the nose, this release opens with warehouse must, accompanied by abundant notes of lemon juice, lime, and the lemon sherbet we relate to Ardnamurchan. Additional notes include grapefruit, burnt toast, and strawberry jam, complemented by very light peat. Floral touches of rose water and cherry blossoms sit in the background. Again, good alcohol integration.

Palate

On the palate, we're finding warehouse must, wet pebbles, alongside burnt toast and lemon juice. The mouthfeel is better than today’s other review, with a slight oiliness that adds texture, but still a touch disappointing. The spice from pepper and sweet chili is present but balanced well, not overwhelming the sweetness on the finish. Floral notes emerge with patience, complemented by orange marmalade, vegetable crisps, and sugar paste. When diluted, the whisky shows more pronounced vegetable crisps flavours, while the floral notes become somewhat subdued.

Nose (with water)

The nose now has lots of caramel and fudge, along with hints of salt water. It’s a little less noticeable as Ardnamurchan as the spirit notes are less noticeable with dilution. With dilution, the mouthfeel of the whisky remains relatively unchanged, but there is a noticeable decrease in spice.

Palate (with water)

The palate experiences a significant increase in honey. However, this is soon joined by flavours reminiscent of cheap, diluted orange juice and black tea, along with cracked black pepper spice, which overtakes the sweetness on the finish.

Conclusion

Not a bad dram, but it is a touch one dimensional and the mouthfeel again lets it down slightly. We’re torn between a 6.5 and a 7. We’ll go with a 6.5.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

Single cask Ardnamurchan releases typically range between £85 and £90, and this one follows suit.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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