Cadenheads Loch Lomond 30yo Authentic Collection January 2026 & Cadenheads Ardmore 15yo Authentic Collection January 2026

Cadenheads Loch Lomond 30yo Authentic Collection January 2026

Region: Highlands

ABV: 50.8%

Price: £130.00

This single grain whisky distilled in 1995 and fully matured in a bourbon hogshead, then bottled in January 2026 for Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection in an outturn of 204 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with sea spray, lemon and lime cordial, pistachio nuts, and orange rind. Returning to it after some air, we find vanilla bonbons, icing sugar, dried wood, cardboard, and pineapple chunks. There is a little pepper spice here given the ABV.

Palate

The palate opens with dark chocolate bitterness, followed by caramel sauce. It then turns very floral, with jasmine and lavender, before transitioning to apple skins, cinnamon, orange, and sugar syrup. The mouthfeel is a touch thin, and a hefty pepper spice builds on the finish, joining the other sweeter notes.

Nose (with water)

On the nose, water brings out a concentrated treacle and soy sauce note, along with a hint of limoncello. The pre-dilution notes remain, though they are a little diminished. A hint of sulphur appears briefly, then mercifully fades.

Palate (with water)

Water has pushed the dark chocolate bitterness beyond the point we enjoy. The mouthfeel still disappoints. There is now an acetone note we would more usually associate more with Port Dundas, and just less sweetness showing appearing. On the plus side, the spice is less intense.

Conclusion

We are big advocates of grain whisky, which makes this one a little disappointing, as we were expecting more. It is not a bad dram, but there are far better options out there for those of us who enjoy grain.

Score: 6/10

Value

Good price for 30yo grain, but if you’re on a budget you can get other grain distilleries at a similar age for nearer £100.

Cadenheads Ardmore 15yo Authentic Collection January 2026

Region: Highlands

ABV: 54.1%

Price: £70.00

Distilled in 2010 and bottled in January 2026 as a single cask for Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection, this whisky was matured exclusively in a bourbon barrel. The outturn was 162 bottles.

Nose

The nose initially reminds us of a mash tun, minus the off notes. Behind that, there are fresh strawberries, freshly cut grass, Play-Doh, heated plastic, and coastal sea spray. Returning to it, we find burnt toast, charred wood, Bassetts liquorice, lemon peel, and light smoke. Raspberry appears too, with a touch of spice from the alcohol.

Palate

The palate opens quite citrus forward, with a strong flat lemonade note, followed by a hint of dryness, burnt sugar, vanilla, and caramel. The finish is a touch spicy, with raw ginger coming through quite strongly. The mouthfeel is decent, but the spice is more distracting as we sip it. Going back, we find tobacco, burnt marshmallows, and freshly squeezed orange juice. It is peatier than the nose suggests, but still rather one dimensional.

Nose (with water)

Water brings more smoke to the nose, with tobacco coming to the fore. It also softens the alcohol spice. The fruity notes morph into dried mangoes and sour raspberries. It is less farmy than we expected and it is not exactly screaming Ardmore to us.

Palate (with water)

Dilution has not tamed the alcohol bite. It remains smoky, but it is less sweet now and drier, with a bitter blood orange note. The mouthfeel has held up and the finish remains medium in length, but again just with too too much spice for us. As with the nose, nothing here really screams Ardmore.

Conclusion

For the age, we expected a little more. Overall, it’s underwhelming and doesn’t really remind us of the distillery. Like today’s other review it’s not bad whisky just far from the best.

Score: 6/10

Value

While the whisky falls short we can definitely enjoy the price.

• 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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