Ardnamurchan AD 01

Score: 66

Ardnamurchan AD/01 came in 6th in its tasting, but the ranking tells only part of the story. This was one of the distillery’s earlier releases—a bold, confident dram from a young operation already showing serious promise. Its youthful profile in 2022 may have held it back in the lineup, but it still made a lasting impression. On the nose, it offered light citrus, malt, vanilla, and gentle smoke, bright and inviting. The palate followed with a bag of spices, subtle minerality, and a touch of woodiness that hinted at its coastal origins. It was clean, well-structured, and quietly complex. A wonderful whisky in itself, and a tremendous achievement for something just 5-6 years old. While it didn’t climb the ranks this time, it sparked admiration for what it represents: a distillery with vision, craft, and a trajectory worth watching. The AD/01 we tasted was lovely back then, and by all accounts, Ardnamurchan’s releases have only gotten better. This wasn’t a loss; it was a glimpse into the future.