Ardnamurchan AD/ Heritage Barley Release 2025

Ardnamurchan AD/ Heritage Barley Release 2025 is an exceptional unpeated single malt celebrating the heritage of Scottish barley. Distilled from the iconic Golden Promise variety — famed for its rich, malty texture and creamy depth — it was fully matured in bourbon barrels and bottled in 2025 at cask strength (59.2%), with no colouring or chill filtration. The result is a vibrant, full-bodied expression that perfectly balances Ardnamurchan’s coastal freshness with the natural sweetness of the barley.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bright and expressive with vanilla, honey and citrus zest, followed by fresh malt, green apple and creamy toffee. Hints of sea salt and white pepper add a coastal lift, while soft coconut and almond highlight the bourbon cask influence.

Palate

Rich, oily and full-flavoured. Notes of vanilla fudge, pear, honey and gentle spice unfold beautifully. The Golden Promise barley lends a rounded, malty sweetness, while the bourbon barrels contribute layers of oak, caramel and subtle tropical fruit. Despite the 59.2% strength, it remains remarkably balanced and refined.

Finish

Long, warming and silky with lingering honey, vanilla and citrus, complemented by gentle oak and a whisper of sea salt. Clean, creamy and deeply satisfying.

A pure, unpeated Ardnamurchan that lets the Golden Promise barley and bourbon casks shine — vibrant, complex and unmistakably coastal.

Ardnamurchan Distillery

Ardnamurchan Distillery is located on the remote and scenic Ardnamurchan peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. Established in 2014 by Adelphi, a respected independent bottler, the distillery is known for its commitment to sustainability and traditional production methods. Ardnamurchan uses renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power and wood pellet boilers.

The distillery produces both unpeated and peated whiskies, each with their own distinctive flavour profile. The unpeated Ardnamurchan whiskies are known for their elegant and fruity character, with notes of apple, pear, vanilla and a subtle spiciness. These whiskies offer a smooth and accessible taste experience.

In contrast, the peated Ardnamurchan whiskies have a more robust profile, characterised by rich smoke notes and earthy influences, combined with hints of citrus and spice. These whiskies are more complex and have a deeper, more intense flavour.

Ardnamurchan whiskies are often constructed from both a combination of peated and unpeated whiskies and as a blend of bourbon cask and sherry cask matured single malts, which provides a nice balance and depth of flavours. The combination of innovative sustainability, traditional craftsmanship and Ardnamurchan's unique terroir makes this distillery a remarkable newcomer to the Scotch whisky world.