Review #043 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 57.8% Comments: NAS on bottle but distilled in 2016 and bottled March 2022 so likely aged 5 or 6 years, bottle 128/312, Spanish Oloroso single cask Tasted after: Ardnamurchan AD/ Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it slowly thickens but legs are very slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Milk chocolate, raspberry jam, candied orange peel, campfire ashes, espresso, and a faint hint of asphalt sealant. Palate: 35/40 Cinnamon and honey dominate, dark chocolate, raisins, and a wisp of smoke. Finish: 36/40 Medium-long finish. Surprisingly not very hot at all given that it’s cask strength. More honey, fades slowly into a very interesting salty ashes flavor, then oak wood, and ending with my mouth holding the bitter-creamy flavor of recently swallowed extra dark chocolate. With Water: A drop of water brings some additional sweetness to the palate with peaches and raspberries, and introduces some black pepper to the finish. Total: 89/100 Final thoughts: I purchased this bottle while on a trip through Quebec for a hockey tournament, and am very happy with it. It doesn’t offer anywhere near as much value as the AD/, but it’s certainly a couple steps above and it was fun to try a single sherry cask immediately after and see the similarities between the two. I really enjoy how they’ve utilized blockchain technology to enable full transparency of the distillation process of each individual bottle: https://ardnamurchan-distillery.co.uk/newBottles-detail/157878 Price: $199 CAD Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.