Ardnamurchan AD/ The Midgie Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Crafted to honour Scotland’s most infamous creature, the Highland Midge, this release brings together 50% ex-American bourbon barrels, 48% Port Barriques and 2% Sherry casks. It's a split of 75% unpeated spirit and 25% peated bottled at 48% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... [2024 bottling tasted] A rather charming tribute, it seems, to those pesky little midges that can be a bit of a nuisance when one visits Scotland at certain times. It’s a blend of casks, including sherry, bourbon, Sauternes, and Madeira. No wonder it might attract the midges, ha! Colour: pale gold. Nose: you don’t really get the Madeira, nor the Sauternes, or even the sherry for that matter, so I’d imagine these were second or even third-fill casks, no? The result, however, is impeccable. There’s a lovely smoky focaccia vibe, buttery croissants, and delightful notes of smoked paprika (how good is that!), alongside hints of new tyres, spent oil, and fresh concrete… and perhaps just a whisper of Madeira after all. Really, it’s spot on. Mouth: the peat comes through more on the palate than on the nose, with green pepper, creosote, tar, smoked kippers, lemon, and apple, plus oysters and a few drops of Tabasco. Finish: long and beautiful, with a slightly herbal touch. Think samphire, lemon, and a drop of seawater. Comments: utterly delightful and very peaty. The good side of midges, as it were. 88 points - whiskyfun.com

Notes from the producers...  Gammon ham with torched pineapple, prunes dipped in salt. Strawberry jam on a salty cracker, almond oil, coconut macaroon, spearmint. Palate: Salt-baked pear, meadowsweet, wildflowers, lemon thyme. Sultanas, cherrywood embers, cocoa powder, pink peppercorns. Finish: A gentle puff of enticing, buoyant smoke. Himalayan pink salt, red currant cordial. A constant mingling of sweet and salty. Dry, lengthy finish.