Ardnamurchan Cask Strength 02.22 - Whisky Review 173

Ardnamurchan Cask Strength 02.22 - Whisky Review
#WhiskyReview #WhiskyTube #Scotch #Ardnamurchan #CaskStrength #02.22 #Whisky #WhiskyLock #HighlandWhisky

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Sounded great. Hopefully it will show up around here soon. Cheers!

[@WhiskyLock]

Hope so mate 👍 Cheers

[@torbjornkarlsen]

I've ordered a bottle of this whisky and I'm really excited 🎉 It costs the equivalent to £68 here (Norway)

[@WhiskyLock]

Not a bad price. Similar to what we pay. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🥃

[@torbjornkarlsen]

I had the first sip yesterday, not a bad start at all. I do expect it to improve with time though.

[@WhiskyLock]

👍 Mine improved quite a lot with time.

[@torbjornkarlsen]

I live in Norway and alcohol is quite expensive here so I know it's a good deal if a bottle is roughly the same price as in the UK. Some are way more than that so I try to watch out for bad deals.

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for reviewing this one, Shane. Yep, you're late, but hey this is (for you) or was (for me) great stuff. Slàinte mhath

[@WhiskyLock]

Thanks Peathead. Hopefully we'll get regular batches of this in future. It would probably be the Ardnamurchan to repeat buy for me. Cheers 🥃

[@piotrledochowski5824]

I had AD 10.21:06 to See what is this Hype all about and AD02.22 CS for my stash^^ totally love it! Great review, Greetings from Poland

[@WhiskyLock]

Thanks Piotr. I had my 02.22 sitting on the shelf for quite a long time too as something to look forward to. Didn't disappoint! Cheers 🥃

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Ciao Shane, many thanks 🙏 for your direct, clear and unambiguous commentary. I am sure I speak for others, it is much appreciated. Kindest regards, S.

[@WhiskyLock]

Thank you very much Sandro 🥃

[@welshtoro3256]

Good review as always. I had this bottling and I'm on the AD/09.22 whilst watching. I far prefer it to the Sherry Cask but each to their own. What you say about ex-bourbon casks is spot on. A couple of years ago I took a punt on a ex-bourbon A.D. Rattray bottling of a 5 year old Benriach, bottled at cask strength of course. I used to love Benriach but the distillery bottlings have lost any excitement they once had. Anyway, this modest 5 year old was freaking delicious. It just goes to show - Good distillate and good ex-bourbon oak can't fail. By the way, Rattray have recently released that same batch aged for a further three years and is on sale on their site as an 8 year old. I got a bottle and it's really good. I have to add that A.D. Rattray are selling some some wonderful stuff directly from their own site. I also picked up their Balblair 9 ex-bourbon. Balblair being another former great distillery I've given up on in terms of distillery releases. I even took a punt on their Orkney 16 which is a distillery we both have issues with. I don't buy distillery releases from any of these companies any more. Take a look at the Rattray site if you haven't already done so. It's full of stuff you will like. Anyway, I'm not paid to plug them, so back to the review. Talisker can F... Off. The 18 is preposterous and even the 10 is becoming absurd. The NAS is junk. The market and our our experience is changing us into a different whisky intelligence. My whisky world isn't what it was eight years ago. The landscape has changed and so has my perspective. Cheers. WT

[@WhiskyLock]

Great to hear you're enjoying this Ardna as much as me and that our views are aligned. I shall have to give AD Rattray a look. On that note I bought a Tullibardine from Murray McDavid recently. A humble bottle but one that punches well above its price tag and shows what OB releases could do. I agree that Talisker NAS is junk. Except 57 degrees North perhaps... which has been taken away from us! Why won't they let us have nice things?! Agree about changing perspectives. Ten years ago I would've said no way if you'd told me I'd be really enjoying NAS and >10yo releases. But a few craft producers have shown us all that there is another way! Cheers 🥃

[@Anders_Lauritsen]

My bottle of 02.22 is acting a bit strange. On the night I opened it it was wonderfully sweet, welcoming and easy to sip neat. About a month later however, it’s become much sharper and much more challenging. I find strong notes of burnt liquorice in it now, especially in the finish. It’s to the point where I have to dilute it down to about 45% to be able to drink it, and even then the experience is challenging. I don’t know if I’ve got a dud bottle or if my taste just doesn’t align with this particular expression, but the change the whisky has gone through from neck pour to about the halfway mark is fascinating.

[@WhiskyLock]

Interesting and fascinating! I hope you're still able to get some enjoyment out of it. I still have around 20% of mine left and I have noticed changes too. I still find it very drinkable but it is not quite as sweet and yes there's a woody liquorice / wood spice note. Perhaps you could experiment with blending small amounts with something very sweet? Might be a way to maximise your enjoyment if you're struggling with it. Best of luck! 🥃

[@Anders_Lauritsen]

@@WhiskyLock I took your advice and added some Glencadam 10 to a pour of the 02.22, and... Wow. It's a completely different experience. The sweet lemon hardcandy and ginger beer flavours from the Glencadam tones down the liquorice and wood spice notes from the Ardnamurchan and makes it a very drinkable dram. I don't even have to add water to the mix for it to be drinkable at what I think is 55%. Thanks a lot for the the tip!

[@WhiskyLock]

@@Anders_Lauritsen Perfect! You can't beat a bit of well planned home blending 🙂

[@Anders_Lauritsen]

@@WhiskyLock Just a small update on the situation with my challenging bottle of ardnamurchan cask strength. I think I've experienced my first case of bottle chock. After 2-3 months of not really touching the it, the whisky has calmed down completely and is a delight. I no longer need to water it down or mix in other whisky to make it drinkable. Interesting to see how a bottle can change over time, leaving it open over night to air out a bit probably helped too. I now see why you chose it as your whisky of the year, what a delightful dram. Cheers.

[@prestonw3878]

Screeching gulls is a very lovely note indeed

[@WhiskyLock]

Can't beat a fresh screeching gull 😉

[@whiskynotes9326]

I agree that Ardnamurchan is an excellent substitute for Talisker. I’ve had the 02.22 and 09.22, the former is better. The sherry matured is just about to be released in Sweden and there is also a sherry peated version. Perhaps I’ll give them a go.

[@WhiskyLock]

I haven't had the 09.22 yet but I've heard a few people say that the 02.22 is better. I'm down to around the final 100ml on this bottle now so maybe I'll try the 09.22 next. I'm very pleased to see that it's actually in stock. Too many whiskies are difficult to buy these days so it makes for a nice change 👍

[@justwhisky]

I gave this one a high score! Impressive juice for sure. Enjoyed the Talisker banter/critique! Cheers 🥃

[@WhiskyLock]

Thanks John. It certainly merits a high score. Stock permitting, this is the one that I would try to keep on hand. Cheers 🥃

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Ardnamurchan do seem to have the practice to add at least a small amount of Ex-Sherry casks to all their bottlings. If only they would bottle a 100% Ex-Bourbon barrel release. I'd purchase it now.

[@WhiskyLock]

Yes I suspect a lot of distilleries do it just to round the profile off. Kilchoman do it with Machir Bay and I always used to seek out the vintage releases for the 100% bourbon experience. I'd love a 100% bourbon Ardna too. It would be great. 02.22 is close enough for now though 🙂 Cheers 🥃

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

@@WhiskyLock Forgive me but I am sure you will understand that I will be off the whisky grid for the foreseeable future. Here in Israel we are at war. Over a thousand of my people have been slaughtered and many taken hostage by the Iranian backed terrorist organisation, Hamas. I have three sons who went to fight to defend our country. At the moment our time is spent looking after our grandchildren whilst their daddy's are away and keeping them calm during the constant missile attacks. With G-d's help, we will prevail.

[@WhiskyLock]

​@@RebMordechaiReviews Reb, I feel there are no words to respond to what you're going through. You and your family are in our thoughts. Stay safe my friend 🙏

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

You are so right. That Ardmore Traditional Cask was a stunner. Full on flavour. I really loved it. The current Ardmore core range with the exception of their 20 YO is too young and watered down.

[@andynelson5864]

So glad you got around to reviewing this one; I'm not at all surprised by your favorable comments. It really is beautiful stuff! I'm down to my last pour of it--deeply saddened but must remind myself that I'm lucky to have had the 02.22. Not only is the 09.22 still missing from my go-to whisky shop's shelves, but they tell me the 05.23 is also out of stock! I literally blinked and missed it. Now comes the searches for it at other shops along with the temptation to order any of these three at inflated prices from places that will ship it. Grrr! I dread this part of the journey: discovering something I truly love only to see it do a disappearing act. You asked what we'd like to see from Ardnamurchan? Maybe personal deliveries of, oh, I don't know...a case of this stuff? Okay, I'd settle for several bottles.

[@WhiskyLock]

Now that's a smart wish! I wouldn't mind if Ardna give us more of the same either but I'd also like some reassurance that the brand isn't going to go full 'Springbank' and dry up on us. I really hope they have the capacity to cope and here's hoping you find some more stock soon. Cheers 🥃

[@saschaoswald480]

I recently did a tasting with 4 Ardnamurchans in it and they were all fantastic. The cask strength was my favourite, but even the Madeira-cask was great and I generally have trouble with wine casks! You can just feel the whisky passing oozing out of the Ardnamurchan folks and it shows in the final product. Thanks for another insightful review Shane!

[@WhiskyLock]

Same experience here. I've yet to have a bad Ardnamurchan. Cheers Sascha 🥃

[@Isthatabeerinyourpocket]

Not tried this one yet but I'm sure I'll give it a go soon. On a brighter note I do have 5 bottles of Talisker 18 to get through, picked up for a mispriced bargain of £23.50 a bottle. Sometimes life can be too kind.

[@WhiskyLock]

£23.50... how many times did you have to re-read that label? 😂 That's great, just a shame that it probably wasn't Diageo that took the hit... but we take what we can get! Enjoy! 🥃

[@WhiskeyStraightAl]

Excellent review Shane. I’m very aligned with your likes & thoughts on whisky. Cheers 🥃

[@WhiskyLock]

Great minds think alike! 🥃

[@haroldgrey134]

Just got a bottle myself, fantastic offering for a young cask strength. It's also quite similar to the award winning Glenturret Triple Wood 2022, big wood/oak flavour plus citrus in that too.

[@WhiskyLock]

Fantastic indeed! I had a sample of a Glenturret Triple Wood in a shop a few months ago. I'm not sure of the year but it was very good. Glenturret are on my list of distilleries to revisit once I've cleared my shelves a little 🙂 Cheers 🥃

[@Bowman1999]

Good timing on this review for me. Although they are not the sherry cask or the Cask Strength Ardnamurchan I have 2 bottles of Ardnamurchan on their way to me. I would love to get a bottle of this Cask Strength as I'm with you on the Bourbon matured high ABV with Maritime influence. Cheers to another great review.

[@WhiskyLock]

Hope you enjoy them! 🥃

[@sugarkitty4777]

Love all the nerdy details we get - the few distilleries doing that today need to become more common. The originally Ardna that came to the US was not great at all. This same 02.22 has come here and it's a wonderful rollercoaster ride that comes and goes with many flavors. Besides the definite maritime iodine salt, that cocoa is very much there for me to go with the pepper. To me chocolate + chili = mole sauce. Throw in a touch of smoke and peat that comes and goes, and it's a great bottle.

[@WhiskyLock]

Yeah it's great for the enthusiasts like us. Hopefully more will follow suit. Apart from Compass Box and perhaps Bruichladdich it seems there's not much impetus for it... but we live in hope!! Mole sauce is a great tasting note. Totally get where you're coming from. Cheers 🥃

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

Great review! I need to track down more Ardna. Speaking of Talisker 18… I was across the boarder (From Alberta Canada to Montana USA) and I found it for $160 US. It doesn’t seem to make it up here and since the price isn’t as high as in the UK, I snapped it up. Cheers, Shane!

[@WhiskyLock]

Nice find! Talisker 10 and 18 are fine whiskies. Just a shame that those in charge and setting prices at Diageo appear to be asleep at the wheel... Cheers 🥃

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Sounds delicious! I had a sample of a CS Ardnamurchan but at that time I felt it way too hot and preferred the standard version. It seems like I might need to revisit the CS. Cheers Shane!

[@WhiskyLock]

I really enjoy it. To me 02.22 i's like the standard plus a bit of peat minus a bit of sherry. I can see people being split between them. To be fair they're both great. Cheers 🥃

[@jaylat4578]

Might get some heat for this, but I think the regular release at 46% is better. This is good for sure but to me the regular release is just in perfect balance. Nevertheless Ardnamurchan is killing it. Definitely one of the best distilleries right now.

[@WhiskyLock]

I understand that and I bet you're not the only one. The standard AD releases are perfectly balanced as you say with a little bit of everything. All great whisky though. Hard to go wrong with Ardnamurchan. Cheers 🥃

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Shane, a very good video indeed. Haven’t had an Ardnamurchan CS but got the sherry cask release last week. I’m actually with you I do prefer a bourbon matured malt . Typical example picked up an IB Macduff 15 years in an ex bourbon barrel, 46%. Still I do enjoy sherry matured malts as well. Slàinte Shane 🥃

[@WhiskyLock]

Thanks David. That Macduff sounds great. Good distillery to explore with indies. Like many of the blend fillers, they can produce great stuff if you can only find it. Cheers 🥃

[@wouterblom7569]

Hi Shane, good review. Unfortunately I have to agree with most of what you said about Talisker. Which is a shame, really, as it is such a great distillate. Without much in the way of choice (IB Talisker, if at all available here in NL, is often horrendously expensive if it’s any good), I turn to the Special Releases. And to be fair, there are some good ones. The 2018 was a stunner, and I really like the raw nakedness of the 2022 SR Talisker. Which, by the way, is quite often on discount - I picked up a bottle the other day for less than €80. So much for Diageo’s commercial succes, eh? But the 2020 rum cask was horrendous, and I shudder to think what the 2023 port cask will be like… I am not a fan of the Port Ruighe so I have no hopes whatsoever for that one… Sad, really. Anyway, cheers!

[@WhiskyLock]

Yep mismanagement of Talisker and Lagavulin are the things that annoy me most about Diageo. We need permanent 46% and cask strength age stated core range releases from both... and not at £100+ a bottle 😂 it's not as hard as they want us to believe... Distilleries like Ardnamurchan are doing a great job of highlighting Diageo's short comings... Cheers Wouter 🥃

[@stevengallery5561]

Thought I had missed out on this release, but to my surprise, I found a high street retailer last week that had both cask strength releases still on the shelf. I do think, however, as Ardnamurchan becomes more well known, it will go the way of Springbank and becomes increasingly unavailable! 🥃👍

[@connalmack]

Hopefully not Steven! We think we are making enough for our brand going forward! 👍

[@WhiskyLock]

That's always the danger with whatever the WhiskyTube community puts on a pedestal. And a good reason for all of us to not become too much of a fanboy of any distillery 🙂 Ardnamurchan's output is similar to Springbank's after all and increasing capacity isn't a quick process if you get a sudden increase in sales as Springbank and the Japanese distilleries found out. One thing that Ardnamurchan possibly has in their favour is not directly declaring age statements. Which possibly makes their releases less attractive to flippers. We shall see... Cheers 🥃

[@lxiaspb]

Each one should drink cask-strength whisky as they want to. Just a small comment. Adding a little water to a cask-strength whisky (especially such one), it should transform it into a different drink. Due to the fact, that those whiskies are rare and very difficult to find outside of UK, a possibility for us outside of UK, could be, for you to treat them as two different whiskies (one neat and the other with three drops of water) and make then two different reviews. Keep doing an excellent job. Soon 3000.

[@WhiskyLock]

Thanks! Yes I can't believe we're nearing 3k subs now. That's a good idea to have two different videos. Cheers 🥃

[@benzabenza2743]

Whats the difference between 02.22 and 09.22.? Both are cask strenght. Cheers from Sweden.

[@WhiskyLock]

I haven't tried 09.22 yet but it appears to be 'batch 2' of 02.22. Both cask strength as you say and both are mainly bourbon cask and mainly peated spirit. So should be similar.

[@PaleMischief]

🥃👍🏻😁

[@brianmundie1647]

Diageo have lossed the plot , i'm boycotting all their releases now

[@WhiskyLock]

Can't say I blame you. It's a shame because they've acquired some great distilleries and staff but those in charge are making it difficult to support them 👎