This single malt from Ardnamurchan combines 43% peated spirit with 57% unpeated, initially matured in bourbon barrels before it was re-racked into Madeira casks. Bottled without added colour or chill filtration, it's brimming with notes of chocolate and spice coupled with herbaceous, piney peat beneath.
Cocoa, candied almonds, custard, and sweet spices, with layers of stewed stone fruits and fruit buns, then woody spices join in time.
Notes of cedar and cinnamon, salted peanuts, chocolate Brazil nuts, raisins, and toffee apples. Piney peat brings a touch peppery warmth.
Earthy, woody spice and smoke linger, with dried berries and dark chocolate chips in tow.
I received this as a birthday gift from my wife due to our honeymoon being in Madeira . The information the QR code provides is really refreshing. This turned out to be made up of 8-10yr old whisky and you could tell. I expected a spiky and aggressive young malt but it was rounded and mature. Bonfire toffee is the main thing the notes miss on MoM, it reminds me of standing in the cold eating bonfire toffee as a kid, warming, sweet and cloying. I will restock this as soon as it has gone providing the quality stays the same. I foresee the spirit becoming more aggressive as the distillery gets the recognition it deserves as younger barrel's will have to be included to fulfil demand. But this may bring a new dimension… let’s wait and see!
