Thank you for the review Phil. I visited Ardnamurchan distillery a few years ago and was immensely honoured to have been hosted by them for a private tour where I got to taste a few whiskies straight from Ex-Bourbon barrels, plus a Rum cask (from the adjacent warehouse). However, I was greatly frustrated that I could not buy any released bottles of Ardnamurchan there or in fact, anywhere else at the time, due to the fact that there were no kosher bottlings available, as all were either Ex-Sherry or a vatting of Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon. (The Ex-Sherry casks having been seasoned in non-kosher fortified wine). However, David, my host, did give me some very generous samples taken from various peated and non-peated Ex-Bourbon barrels to take away. These were wonderful but of course, you can't in any way compare these distillery samples to actual bottles of released Ardnamurchan Single Malt. I'm sure you'll agree that whisky drunk at a distillery or even single cask samples drunk elsewhere are a totally different experience to actual releases. Skip forward to last year and I picked up this bottle of Rum Cask at the Inverurie Whisky shop. As far as I know, it's the only readily available bottling of Ardnamurchan with no Kashrus issues. (I heard that there were a few rare Single Cask Ex-Bourbon barrel matured out there but I have never seen them). As already explained, I cannot compare this to another Ardnamurchan bottling, but this Rum Cask release blew me away. Other online reviews, such as Dramface, marked this lower than the Ex-Sherry or Ex-Sherry/Bourbon vattings, so it was great to hear that in your opinion, this Rum Cask was actually superior. One thing I'll have to check though is whether this release is actually a "Finish" as you say. My interpretation of the Q-Code data was that it had been fully matured in a batch of genuine Caribbean Ex-Rum casks (which were originally ASB Ex-Bourbon barrels). Indeed, I saw them there in the warehouse. A quick email to the distillery will clarify this no doubt.
Hello Phil, I was really impressed with the Sherry Cask release, it took me by surprise how flavoursome it was. I’m in agreement with you on Port and Rum casks in general, but the sound of your review, Ardnamurchin have nailed it. Ps thanks for another great review and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
Hi Phil, Thanks for this excellent video. I really like Ardnamurchan and I wasn't yet disappointed. After finishing your review I ordered a bottle of the Ardnamurchan Rum Cask tonight. Cheers and have good weekend. Cheerio Oliver
Have loved pretty much everything that's come out of Ardnamurchan but I've had some iffy experiences with rum casks so usually give them a swerve but those notes sound lovely. Toasted Jamaica cake reminds me of parkin and I'd love to find that in a whisky.
Great review as always, still got half a bottle of the cask strength so will have hope thisis still available in the new year. Will be settling into anCnoc 18, Edradour 12 Caladoniaand a Laphroaig cask strength over the period. Have a good one, cheers.
Anyone got a reference to comparison with Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14? I love the Balvenie so looking for something similar, don’t like buying the same again!!
Very different style to the Balvenie. You'd be best to luck at Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum finish, or even something like Oban Distiller's Edition. It isn't a rum cask, but it is wonderfully sweet on the nose, with a nice coastal finish. The Balvenie is such a sweet malt that it sits in its own little world. You should totally try this Ardnamurchan if you can, but to compare the two would be a little unequal.
Thank you for the review Phil. I visited Ardnamurchan distillery a few years ago and was immensely honoured to have been hosted by them for a private tour where I got to taste a few whiskies straight from Ex-Bourbon barrels, plus a Rum cask (from the adjacent warehouse). However, I was greatly frustrated that I could not buy any released bottles of Ardnamurchan there or in fact, anywhere else at the time, due to the fact that there were no kosher bottlings available, as all were either Ex-Sherry or a vatting of Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon. (The Ex-Sherry casks having been seasoned in non-kosher fortified wine).
However, David, my host, did give me some very generous samples taken from various peated and non-peated Ex-Bourbon barrels to take away. These were wonderful but of course, you can't in any way compare these distillery samples to actual bottles of released Ardnamurchan Single Malt. I'm sure you'll agree that whisky drunk at a distillery or even single cask samples drunk elsewhere are a totally different experience to actual releases.
Skip forward to last year and I picked up this bottle of Rum Cask at the Inverurie Whisky shop. As far as I know, it's the only readily available bottling of Ardnamurchan with no Kashrus issues. (I heard that there were a few rare Single Cask Ex-Bourbon barrel matured out there but I have never seen them).
As already explained, I cannot compare this to another Ardnamurchan bottling, but this Rum Cask release blew me away. Other online reviews, such as Dramface, marked this lower than the Ex-Sherry or Ex-Sherry/Bourbon vattings, so it was great to hear that in your opinion, this Rum Cask was actually superior.
One thing I'll have to check though is whether this release is actually a "Finish" as you say. My interpretation of the Q-Code data was that it had been fully matured in a batch of genuine Caribbean Ex-Rum casks (which were originally ASB Ex-Bourbon barrels). Indeed, I saw them there in the warehouse. A quick email to the distillery will clarify this no doubt.
You may indeed be correct, Reb.
Thank you for your kind words. Delighted you enjoyed the Rum Cask release. 😊
Thank you for releasing it!
Hello Phil, I was really impressed with the Sherry Cask release, it took me by surprise how flavoursome it was. I’m in agreement with you on Port and Rum casks in general, but the sound of your review, Ardnamurchin have nailed it. Ps thanks for another great review and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
You too, Kevin!
I'm with you that a peated spirit put into an exRum cask can produce really interesting results. Had such a Caol Ila recently.
It brings funk.
It brings funk.
Hi Phil, Thanks for this excellent video. I really like Ardnamurchan and I wasn't yet disappointed. After finishing your review I ordered a bottle of the Ardnamurchan Rum Cask tonight. Cheers and have good weekend. Cheerio Oliver
Great to hear! Has it arrived? Do you like it?
Off to get my bottle right now you convinced me! Thank you for the great review. Have a relaxed festive season! 🎉
Hope you enjoy it, and thank you!
Solid review Phil you’re good! I enjoyed! Happy holidays
Thanks, you too!
Have loved pretty much everything that's come out of Ardnamurchan but I've had some iffy experiences with rum casks so usually give them a swerve but those notes sound lovely. Toasted Jamaica cake reminds me of parkin and I'd love to find that in a whisky.
Parkin! It certainly gets close to that.
Great review as always, still got half a bottle of the cask strength so will have hope thisis still available in the new year.
Will be settling into anCnoc 18, Edradour 12 Caladoniaand a Laphroaig cask strength over the period.
Have a good one, cheers.
I think it's a regular release....I think. Those are wonderful whiskies to see the year out with!
Anyone got a reference to comparison with Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14? I love the Balvenie so looking for something similar, don’t like buying the same again!!
Very different style to the Balvenie. You'd be best to luck at Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum finish, or even something like Oban Distiller's Edition. It isn't a rum cask, but it is wonderfully sweet on the nose, with a nice coastal finish. The Balvenie is such a sweet malt that it sits in its own little world. You should totally try this Ardnamurchan if you can, but to compare the two would be a little unequal.