Ardnamurchan is a stand-out contender for best new Scotch distillery (ten years is considered pretty new in Scotland). Their whisky was undeniably enjoyable even at 5 years of age, and their first official 10-year age statement release does not disappoint. The nose alone is impressive: orange blossom and candied grapefruit mingle with a wild amount of tropical fruit and dusty leather. On the palate, spiced baked goods and warm honey dominate, underpinned by a hint of sea salt that carries strongly into the finish and ties everything together. I love the oily mouthfeel one gets from spirit cooled in worm tubs, which is more and more rare these days. Despite utilizing such traditional methods, Ardnamurchan is famously sustainable, powered entirely by a combination of hydroelectricity, solar energy, and biomass boilers. This balanced, unpeated dram is brightened by spending over a year finishing in Champagne barriques; a subtle wink to celebration, considering this release commemorates Ardnamurchan’s 10th anniversary. Fans of well-rounded Highland whiskies with coastal influence will be pleased by this one.