Review #111 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 60.6% Comments: aged 6 years, bottled in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, matured in a 1st-fill American oak PX sherry butt Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it starts to bead up quickly but legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Old fashioned fudge, sugar cookies, and vanilla are most prominent, accompanied by more subtle notes of molasses, honey, juicy plumbs, and freshly cut wooden boards. Palate: 32/40 A little syrupy. This whisky drinks like the high ABV might suggest it would, it’s a bit hot even after some time resting in the glass. The alcohol punch is accompanied by bold flavors of milk chocolate and almost-burnt caramel. It’s a bit challenging here, but with some effort I’m also picking out some honey, candied ginger, and licorice. Surprisingly there’s not really any discernible fruit flavors present. Finish: 34/40 Nice long and complex finish. Gingerbread and oak spice gets things started, but it mellows out quickly, gradually being replaced by dry oak tannins and tobacco. A few diced walnuts appear to round this out, then there’s a hint of lemon zest as well, so subtle you could almost miss it, but unmistakable once you’ve fount it. It rides out this way for quite some time before gradually turning to bitter dark chocolate, and ending on a note of diluted cough syrup. With Water: A few drops of water introduces a little milk chocolate to the nose, some orange peel on the palate, and mutes some of the punchier flavors of the finish. Total: 83/100 Final thoughts: A very different Ardnamurchan, with none of the minerality and coastal notes I’ve come to enjoy from their official bottlings. This makes me wonder if the cask maturation off-site at the SMWS warehouse was the cause of this, or if the sherry just totally overwhelmed the natural flavor of the distillate? More experimentation is required! I think the combination of youth and higher ABV makes this a somewhat challenging dram, but it’s very nice to sip on when I’m in the mood to wrestle through it. I’ll be honest, it took me more sips than typical to discern some of the more subtle flavors on the palate (though I thoroughly enjoyed every one!) and by the time I finished my notes and added water my mouth was a bit numb from the alcohol heat, so my notes there may not be the most accurate. It was rather expensive at the time given lack of supply but price parity has gotten better so I’d likely buy something similar again given the opportunity. Price: $140 Would recommend: yes Would buy: maybe 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.