ralfy review 1015 - Ardnamurchan 01.

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[@michaelwood3203]

I am certain that the older whisky distilleries are being pressured by the arrival of the new boys on the block and feel the need to up their game as the competition heats up. This should lead to a fantastic revival of older distilleries. As a community we need to give praise and recognition to those raising their game. This would be better than grumbling and demeaning those who are underperforming.

[@fotografi4fun]

I hope you’re right, and I totally agree.

[@alexk3088]

I like the approach. I'd have to say that the "label shoppers" are a substantially larger market than whisky anoraks, so macallan, bowmore, diageo brands etc. can continue resting on their laurels for a good long while, before they feel any pressure from new distilleries. But they'll feel the pressure of the overall reduction in discretionary spending. I don't buy them, except maybe the occasional Talisker bottle when found at good price. And I don't miss them, I enjoy exploring the new options. Torabhaig is very interesting, as is their parent blender and Indy bottler Mossburn.

[@11thstalley96]

@@fotografi4funI heartily agree and we’ve already seen the revitalization of some smaller distilleries, but not by the really big boys, so far.

[@Malt454]

I used to believe that the newcomers applied pressure to others in terms of quality, value and even product information, but I've found that most of the hoopla usually means that new distilleries - and especially award winners - just get to join the club and establish their brands and little else. As with other distilleries, the new guys will make some good whisky that will become progressively more out of reach to the average consumer, who will then be served lesser expressions that will fall within the now-famous new brand. Most of these lesser, underclass, expressions will be NAS, just because their time in cask isn't something their target audience will care about and usually won't be that impressive a figure in any case and so not really a selling point anyway to anyone. So much for "integrity". Whisky channels live on clicks, not truth, and the pattern with them is to talk certain distilleries/expressions to the skies because they all live on the next "big thing" and whisky awards play to this. There really is no mystery about whisky, its production, marketing or promotion. It's all a question of resources that have very predictable results in terms of their combination - what base spirit in what quality wood for how long in what conditions, bottled and sold at what price and with what information. People sometimes like to view it as some kind of romantic alchemy, but it's not that, and neither is the shepherding and shearing of the whisky "community" as it is constantly pointed in this and that direction, told to "think for itself" yet constantly bombarded by "expert" opinion that does far more to serve the industry than consumers. The biggest recent innovation with whisky hasn't been in production, much less consumer "education", but, as with other social media, that online "expert" channels have found their place by the fire and in opinion making. I don't see anyone really upping their game anywhere, as the consensus is that consumers need to know less about what they're paying more for as that's the new standard of "education and sophistication" - the idea that you shouldn't be "fooled" by labels or actual information, just listen to what the "experts" have to say. Age information, for example, is only important until it isn't - and that's a flip-flop we've seen right before our eyes, both with the industry on an ongoing basis and right here on this channel. Really thinking for yourself makes it difficult to join anyone's fanclub.

[@fotografi4fun]

@@Malt454 I fell asleep halfway through.... Any KZbin channel live of clicks. That doesn't mean they doesn't have integrity. I have found a few channels that seems to praise any whisky they spent money on or others that obviously want to sell you any bottle from their store. Ralfy is not any of those...

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

That fire looks so inviting and cozy. Perfect for a wee dram. 🎉

[@WhoeverNevermind]

I find it similar to Caol Ila (sweet malt, fruity citrus and medium-low peat) but instead of coastal peat, it's Highland peat, more earthy and organic. I like it a lot, but it really needs to be at least 12 to achieve the greatness that, at this point, is destined to enjoy.

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

What is not to like about Ardnamurchan… wonderful dear Ralfy. Thanks for your precious advice. Kindest regards, S.

[@christinecamley]

I adore Ardmamurchan!! Delicious integrity single malt scotch!! This particular expression is delicious! I have quite a bit of Ardnamurchan on my bar and my husband also loves it! Superb review and outstanding thoughts as always Ralfy!! Be well in the Bothy!! Cheers!!

[@yusufsayed1583]

Good Evening 😊 Another awesome , amazing video 💯 Have a great day and enjoy your pour 🥃 Greetings and Cheers 🍻 From South Africa 🇿🇦

[@cristianatala101]

A malt mention Ralfy: magnetic managers of moderation

[@martinf2740]

Just got a bottle of this. I don’t have anything close to the palate that Ralfy has, but I have to say this is the boldest whiskey I’ve ever had and the flavour stays with you a long time between sips. And at a comparatively fair price.

[@derrickk752]

Hey Ralfy, I am actually sitting on a big fluffy couch however not watching crap....watching you! Slainte from Canada

[@hongji18]

Pls keep winging it and bloopers=authenticity

[@jtf2dan]

When Ralfy gave props to Ardamurchan distillery a year ago, I have seen and bought 2 bottles from them since, both cask strength, one peated and one un-peated, saving them for a rainy day. If Ralfy approves it, I know I will like it as all of his other recommendations have become favourites of mine. Thanks Ralfy!

[@PierreMoisan-vf2ze]

AD CS is already on my top shelf it is a piece of Scottish art. I just hope it will be available for a long time at a affordable price.Thanks Ralfy nice review 👍🥃

[@TheZeal04]

I look forward to seeing how my Ardnamurchan does in some blind tastings when I start another up. Of reasonable priced stuff I've picked up lately it's definitely on par with that Craigallachie Armagnac Finish, although I think for me personally that Campbelltown Loch is going to win easily despite only being a point or 2 difference for ralfy.

[@nickandsue1]

Love it, i am not into peatier whisky but the mix of peated and unpeated spirit in this is just a perfect balance. Just got hold of the midgie edition and cant wait to try it

[@terrortower666]

The care of practise into distillation and cask management and storing at Ardnamurchan is wonderful to see (and taste). I doubt they will get complacent about it either like others do, as they clearly care about the consistent quality they pack into each and every release. And no money spent on marketing gimmicks! Way to go Ard!!

[@josephpatrow]

You help with the integrity of juice, Ralfy, thank you, Sir!

[@elduderino3120]

On my second bottle of the Ardnamurchan Sherry cask and I prefer it to SB10.

[@fotografi4fun]

I have two bottles of the AD/07.21,05 + 3 other releases. Love the stuff, and really looking forward to their upcoming releases.

[@terrortower666]

The Rum cask release was a personal win for me. I have a really good time with that bottle,, same story for the cask strength version 🤤

[@fotografi4fun]

@@terrortower666 The Cask strength is also good, but my favorite is the Sherry cask. So much I bought 3 extra bottles 🫣 Never got to try the Madeira or Rum sadly.

[@ghuk1234]

I bought four bottles (one AD two CS and one Sherry Cask) and have drunk them all 😊.

[@terrortower666]

@@fotografi4fun I have a bottle of the sherry cask release but yet to try it. You may have tempted me to open it sooner rather than later 😉

[@fotografi4fun]

@@terrortower666 Hehe. Now is the time for peated sherry in my opinion. At least here in Norway 🇳🇴

[@alyamaut]

Top notch Ralfy, hope AD won't increase the prices too much like our friends from Kilchoman,un abrazo 🤘

[@undivided_unified]

I only know of Ardnamurchan because of Ralfy So of course it was going to be a quality dram...=

[@WhiskeyKnows]

Cheers as Always Ralfy. New Malt Mention: Hello all you Malty, Masters of The Mash

[@justthis5477]

Speaking of new/recent Distilleries: do you have any intention of review a bottle of Nc'Nean organic Single Malt? I was presented with a sample a few weeks ago and it surprised me a lot for its young age. Lot's of fruit and integrity bottled. Really curious about your opinion on it! Great review as always.

[@simonsherratt1484]

I always get marshmallow in Ardnamurchan and a lovely coastal quality

[@lcpholman]

One thing I find with Ardnamurchan which is an inverted experience to the norm, is that I far prefer the standard bottling to the cask strength. No idea why that would be - youth maybe?

[@Norris_84]

Nice one Ralfy. I finally got to try Ardnamurchan at the Scottish National Whisky Festival in Glasgow at the end of January and was really impressed. However, I felt it needs more time to sip and appreciate as theres a lot going on in the glass so I need to have more lol. I will say, at the Ardnamurchan stand, where I also met Roy and had a great wee chat, I tried the small batch Spanish Oak and PX Sherry Cask which was easily the highlight of the show for myself and my party. Think its possibly the best whisky I've tried.

[@HawkerPaul]

Apart from Ardnamurchan AD/, the remainder of their range is selling for £100 a bottle on Master of Malt. Ridiculous!

[@DanteRising]

Fresh tinned pears, pickled pineapple and ethereal bananas!? 😂

[@mendipfox1650]

I’ve bought a few bottles of Ardnamurchan: Inaugural 09.20:01 2021 core release (can’t recall the exact code) Madeira Release 10:15 CK.669 single cask. They were all decent, just not really great. I think Ardnamurchan will be more interesting in another 5/6 years of Maturation.

[@SimonneNZ]

One of my favourite distilleries. I have 4 bottles of Ardnamurchan, the AD 10.21:06, Cask Str. 02.22, Paul Launois and Sherry Cask. I'm enjoying all of them. So far, Ardnamurchan has been affordable in my market. I picked up the 10.21:06 for only a few dollars more than Arran 10, and I prefer it to the Arran 10. Cheers!

[@robfut9954]

I’ll be honest, I don’t mind flannel if the whisky is good. I honestly don’t care about marketing one way or the other. They can burn heaps of money or not spend a single penny, I care not. If the price is fair, and if they are putting good whisky in the bottle I will buy it regardless of any opinions.

[@geerakkers2060]

Everything is great, Ardnamurchan, Springbank etc... but here, in Spain, not one single bottle is available. And that after selling for more than 35 years single malt whisky. For those of you having one, enjoy them.

[@justinafuchs2619]

Sorry to hear that, it’s just silly and sometimes I don’t get the distribution. The distribution is usually really fine here in Germany when it comes to Scotch whisky, but .. I like Bourbon and Scotch, and you can’t find most of the allocated, premium Bourbons here. And if you happen to find *one* online place selling the stuff, the prices will be just ridiculous. There’s only one guy selling the Jack Daniels 12 here in Germany, and it’s about 430 Euros for a bottle. I’d love to have a bottle of JD12, but I wouldn’t pay that much if I were crazy rich.

[@ibelle42]

If you've got the coin to spend, joining the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a way to get the exotic whiskies you can't find otherwise. It's how I get some of them here in the US. It's basically a mail-order independent bottler that charges an annual membership fee.

[@apudegeest]

Tonight i tasted the Ardnamurchan cask strenght Batch 09.22 along a Bowmore 9 yr. refill bourbon from Douglas laing at Cask Strength, bottled 2023. I like the unieqe distilelery karakter from Bowmore better. I dont understand why they can't kater to the enthousiast Just a bit more.

[@bryanabrams5916]

I just loaded up 4 bottles. At only $60 a bottle, I feel the quality was well worth it! I get honeycomb, biscuits, fruit, and a light earthy smoke in the background. Beautiful! My other backups include Ledaig 10, Raasay Single Malt, and Torabhaig Allt Gleann. Ledaig 10 and the Allt Gleann are being discontinued locally, unfortunately.

[@bryanabrams5916]

That fruit was definitely citrus forward! I loved it!

[@celt007]

Just got my bottle at the government controlled LCBO . 88$ approx. lowest price single malt I believe .

[@alecky1972]

I've never seen this for sale in Ireland, would love to try it

[@andrewjudd9001]

My complaint about Ardnamurchan is that it isn’t available locally in NH USA where I live and to buy it online is either extremely limited or super overpriced. Hard to spend $100 on one of their basic bottlings when I can buy two Arran 10s for the same price.

[@javieracosta3439]

It is available in Massachusetts (at really good shops). However this still could be a good drive depending on your location.

[@andrewjudd9001]

Good to know thanks!

[@themunros1]

This is an observation not a criticism, but is there not a danger that when yourself & Roy, who are so obviously smitten by both springbank & ardnamurchan, and wax lyrical at length about them, that it is yourselves who are leading & unduly influencing the OSWAS voting? I love both btw, but also very much enjoy Raasay, Wolfburn, Lindores Abbey, to name a couple, none of which receive the same adulation. As i say, just a thought.... keep up the good work 😃

[@trevorbrown389]

Agree, 💯

[@nickandsue1]

They also dont overcharge, you pay a fair price for a great product, doesnt need a fancy box . Its going to be sensational when we get some real aged stuff

[@alexk3088]

Malty Mozart Mazurkas 😀

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Not sure he composed Mazurkas…? So maybe Minuets 😊would work. Cheers 🥃

[@alexk3088]

@@sandrofazzolari8833 eh, yes, apparently he did. But this is a Malt Mention, not a history book :)

[@sachinkainth9508]

malty mediterranean malapropisms

[@robfut9954]

I mean to try this brand soon, however, where I am in the US it fairly expensive relative to some bottle I know I like so I am hesitant to roll the dice given the cost. Mates… is this worth $70+ for a fairly young malt???

[@ccuellar6212]

I’ll pick this up when they become legitimate with a label that states non-chilled filtered, natural color and an age statement.

[@neilmattos2756]

😁

[@markanderson8677]

I'd like to see whar Ralphy considers a 90+ whisky

[@Hereward47]

Nothing he’s lost the plot

[@swedishburrito5073]

❤🥃👍

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

I can confirm that the single track B8007 is the only road that takes you to Ardnamurchan and it's challenging to say the least. Anyone who gets travel sickness should be warned. The road curves sharply to the left and right, up hill and down hill, the whole way. Google Maps doesn't do it justice. On top of that, being the only road in and out of the peninsula, you need to negotiate traffic, including large lorries, going the other way. Once you've visited the distillery, the adventurous might want to carry on the same road another 38 miles until the end, where there are stunning views from Corrachadh Mòr, the most westerly point of mainland Scotland. Not far from Ardnamurchan, 11 miles away you also have Kilchoan CalMac Ferry terminal which will take you to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, if you have plenty of time on your hands.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Wonderful spirit coming out of Ardnamurchan. When we visited there a few years ago, we were given some generous 20cl samples straight from the cask (including a a superb Ex-Rum cask), which I can confirm were all excellent. Unfortunately there are no bottles of Ardnamurchan suitable for the Orthodox Jewish community due to all their releases up until now, have all been vattings of Ex-Bourbon and [Non kosher] Ex-Sherry casks. There are no exclusively Ex-Bourbon, Virgin or Ex-Rum bottlings available at this time, as far as I know. Perhaps one day...

[@proseforpoets]

Convert!

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Reply to @proseforpoets. I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition here on Ralfy's channel. Usually people here are a lot more polite and civilised in our little Ralfy community. I suppose, if you had your way, you would change the original Monty Python script to: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise... surprise and fear... fear and surprise... Our two weapons are fear and surprise... and ruthless efficiency.... Our three weapons are fear, and surprise, and ruthless efficiency... and an almost fanatical devotion to Ardnamurchan distillery... Our four... no... Amongst our weapons... Amongst our weaponry... are such elements as fear, surprise... Perhaps one could explain it like this. I'm sure you would agree that drinking whisky is pleasurable but most people soon learn that drinking more alcohol in the chase for more pleasure is a delusion which actually leads to less pleasure, more pain and eventually to disaster. A hangover in the short term and becoming totally dysfunctional in the long term. So, setting rules, not becoming obsessive about the hunt for the ultimate dram experience, and putting limits on consumption and whisky budget, actually maintains a healthy balance and a true appreciation for quality over quantity when it comes to enjoying whisky. This concept is inbuilt into Judaism. Most people are more in touch with their bodily urges and therefore put far more emphasis on their physical desires, to the detriment of their spiritual and ultimately their overall health. Common thinking is to feel as though they are giving up their freedom when they deny their bodily desires. Jewish thinking is that the One G-d, Who created us, Who loves and cares about us, actually knows better than us what is good for us. We are all G-d's children and He intreats (British English spelling) us to follow His laws for our own good. We should therefore come to realise that in fact our true self is our spiritual essence. If this is healthy then our physical will be also. So, when a Jew follows the Torah and occupies himself with fulfilling G-d’s mitzvos (commandments), which will sometimes involve putting limits on his physical urges, he is actually freeing himself from the bonds of the yetzer hara (unhealthy inclinations), and ultimately experiences true autonomy, true freedom and health in mind and body. So, I'll skip on your suggestion/demand and "deprive" myself of Ardnamurchan until I find a kosher version.

[@martinf2740]

Never knew there was a kosher standard for alcohol. Learn something new every day. 20:40

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

@@martinf2740 Hi Martin. The laws of Kashrus (whether a food or drink is Kosher) apply to everything we consume. This includes the technical aspects of cleaning equipment for kosher use after the equipment has been rendered non-kosher by cooking non-kosher items in it. I find it quite amusing that both the Vegan and Organic societies have looked directly at our kashering techniques for equipment, which are thousands of years old, to "kasher" equipment to make them suitable for special runs of Vegan and Organic products, including whisky. I have been contacted myself by these organisations and asked questions about how to apply kashrus standards of cleaning equipment from what they see as non-Vegan or non-Organic "contamination". What started off as an idea in animal rights (Veganism) or health issues regarding the effects of pesticides on our bodies (Organic), is, in my opinion, turning into a cult/pseudo religion.

[@HarvestTheAngerOfIdiots]

rule no1, you know it's good when you cant pronounce the name of it.

[@allanwhittle3041]

Nothing against Ardnemurchen it’s good stuff and indeed a good young distiller . The bit I disagree with ( sorry Ralfy ) is that Springbank are carrying the Scitch whisky industry on its shoulders (or similar choice of words ) It’s good whisky , big there’s lots of good / geat Scotch . Deanston , Glen Scotia , Tamdhu , Loch Lomond etc etc ..Loads of em What is this adoration of Springbank as the savior the be all and end all Its personal taste And I don’t agree There’s loads of great whisky out there 👍

[@reigningwhiskey]

I can’t say you’re wrong. But I do believe that SpringBank is doing things the “old fashioned way”. Seems that is why Ralfy sings their praises so loudly and often. I haven’t met a SpringBank/Glengyle I disliked so I’m hard pressed to mostly agree with him.

[@trevorbrown389]

I’d say there are more than a few distilleries doing things the old way, and contributing more to their local communities than Springbank, not that Springbank is any slouch. Bruichladdich is one such distillery. They support their local farmers, experiment with historical grains, employee hundreds. Have some very creative lines, like bere, organic, etc, are more transparent than Springbank with almost everything. You could throw Kilchoman into that mix, and even upstarts like Raasay, Lochlea, and Nc’Nean are doing some very progressive yet traditional things. Ardnamurchan is very tasty for a young whisky, but I agree their popularity is being driven a lot more by whisky influencers than I think some are willing to admit.

[@plamengeorgiev2284]

You dont review high end stuff anymore. Like 25-30 years old...

[@ElijsDima]

Gonna be honest I am not likely to buy an ardnamurchan because I do not understand their naming system. Just give it a proper name so I know if it's the main one or a flanker or what.

[@11thstalley96]

I understand what you’re saying, but that applies to large, established distilleries that use established marketing ploys to drive sales instead of the quality and integrity of the product. With that being said, there has not yet been a “main one” or “flankers “ released by Ardnamurchan. It’s part of what Ralfy referred to as “discovery” marketing. Like you, I don’t understand the code on the bottles, but I don’t really care to try to decipher it other than being aware if I had purchased a bottle with the same code already, as every bottle of Ardnamurchan that I have purchased has been very enjoyable. Deciphering the code is something mildly interesting that I do when I have a dram of the stuff in front of me. You don’t know what you’re missing, and I heartily recommend that you take a leap of faith and purchase a bottle of Ardnamurchan. EDIT: I was reminded by user @simonsherratt1484 that Ardnamurchan does have a “main one” now. I checked my stash and I have a bottle of it. I remembered that you have a target on the bottle that allows you to capture the provenance of the bottle with the camera in your i-phone, and I confirmed it. Win-win.

[@simonsherratt1484]

Ardnamurchan AD is their core range release. It's excellent.