The HEARACH (Isle of Harris distillery) 1st Release (2023) vs ARDNAMURCHAN « AD/ » (2022)

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

UPDATE NOTE about Ardnamurchan (thanks to Antonia Bruce & Jenny Karlsson) : 32 people are involved in the company, 12 in the production, 5 in the blending team (4 have to be there to make it work). Also, my final rating about the Ardnamurchan AD/04.21:03 is 92/100. / Besides, question for the viewers (& a tip), what do you think happened when I stopped recording this video ? I had to do it (spoiler) & how do you think it went ? And if you tried this Hearach, what’s your opinion about it ?

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Good to see you back.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Thanks, Gert ! hope you'll like the video though I know it is a long one. Cheers, mate 😅🥃

[@moelassus]

Good to hear your thoughts on these two whiskies. I have yet to see Hearach in my area but I'm on my third bottle of the AD. It's such a great whisky. Add to that a great price and good availability (in my area at least), it's a permashelf whisky for sure. I find myself reaching for it a lot along with my other Ardnamurchans. The Madeira cask and Ardnamerica are on my top whiskies list.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Thanks, buddy ! I hope the Hearach will be on your shelves soon...I guess my bottle of "AD/" will open up more with time...Alas no Madeira release for us in France but probably some others soon, as they now a way bigger French distributor...Not all the ones I've tried at a show & supposedly picked for France have arrived yet on the main distributor's online market place, so we have to be patient.

[@christinecamley]

Outstanding comparison Greg!! I was talking briefly with you today when Matt's channel was live for his first anniversary! You replied to me about my message re: Big Al's sad passing. Thank you for that. I am thrilled to subscribe to your channel! I am definitely a single malt nerd!! Cheers! Oh! How did anyone come up with that particular boxing for the Hearach?! I haven't heard anyone who says they find it to appealing. Fabulous info and I am a huge fan of Charlie MacLean!! I can't wait to get a bottle of the Hearach. I have had Gin from this distillery and eagerly look forward to being able to get hold of a bottle of this new scotch!

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Hi Christine again, thanks for your enthousiastic support, it is refreshing ! (just seeing this comment now)👍. I loved the gin first (reviewed in one of my gin videos) & now love the whisky. Can"t say I don't love the packaging, just that it is not very practical, too fragile, especially for me with all my collection with not enough room in my flat...but I understood it might change. May I ask where you are located ? Their brand ambassador for France, Eilidh, told me that The Hearach was going to be distributed in 20 markets, so I hope yours is comprised in it. Have a nice day !

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Nice one Greg and a fair comparison. I tried the Hearach couple of days ago and I quite enjoyed it. Maybe not as much as you but certainly good whisky for such young age. I can't remember which batch it was as it was a dark bar and to be honest I forgot they released all those batches at the same time but I can't imagine there'd be massive differences between batches. Maybe one day you'll do a batch to batch comparison? Cheers!

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Hi Sertug & first off thanks for subscribing, much appreciated...Yes the Hearach has a nose to die for, the palate being less spectacular but still very good given the age too & on a blender's perspective but leaving me wanting to try it at cask strength for sure....It'll be interesting to do this comparison but also very expensive, mind you ! Cheers !

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Greg, good to see you back 👍. Good comparison video, think for me the Herach is a bit too expensive. €80+ , for a first release 😞🤔. Ardnamurchan’s expressions are at decent prices. Got their sherry cask release (50%) little while back for just over €60 from a specialist shop 👍. Slàinte Greg.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Thanks for watching, David, and for your kind words...Like I said (in my opinion), stricktly value wise, the Ardnamurchan "wins" on this confrontation, but if you ask me if the Hearach was worth the price I paid it, considering how it comes across for me way older than its years, and something next level, it is worth every single euro I paid for it, but don't trust me, try it if you can & then tell me...Of course it remains a personal opinion & taste what I'm saying here, Slainte my friend ! 🥃