2016 Ardnamurchan Single Cask No:456 9 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Australian Exclusive

348 bottles from a first-fill Spanish oak Oloroso Hogshead make up this unpeated Ardna'. Drawing parallels with their annual classic finished in Paul Launois Champagne casks, there's no smoke to hide behind, so the quality of the distillate is more on show. The similarities end there. The sherry input makes this significantly heavier on the nose and thicker on the palate; Oloroso glazing the tongue before a muted coastal character blends with dried figs, bittersweet dark chocolate and gingery warmth. A touch of minerality is retained, too, as the finish dries and closes leaving mere traces of the whisky's provenance. Because it's a single cask, the presentation returns to Ardnamurchan’s original slate blue vessel - emulating the colour of the volcanic rock that surrounds their peninsula. A few hundred bottles remain for the entire Australian market, which may add further appeal for collectors. 58.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Tasted from a 30ml sample.