Ardnamurchan 6 Year Old Adelphi Selection 2015
70cl / 59.1%
£99.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
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Single cask Highland-Islay hybrid character from Ardnamurchan, bottled by Adelphi at 59.1% to mark 20 years of partnership with Top Selection.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Ardnamurchan Distillery, bottled by Adelphi for Top Selection, Highlands, Scotland |
| Category | Single cask single malt Scotch whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 6 Years Old - Distilled 2015 - Bottled 2021 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 59.1% ABV, 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Oak single cask, number 651; detailed cask type not stated by the producer |
| Natural Colour | Yes (stated for this series) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes |
| Cask Strength | Yes |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 344 bottles (some retailers round to c. 350) |
| Intended channel | UK specialist, commemorative release for 20 years of partnership |
| Packaging | Ardnamurchan/Adelphi carton with cask and bottle number on label |
| Notes on discrepancies | Some sites quote 651 bottles for an Ardnamurchan 2015 Adelphi; this Top Selection partnership cask 651 is 344 bottles at 59.1%. Always quote cask number. |
Historical Context
Ardnamurchan is Adelphi’s own distillery, built to supply a sustainable source of characterful Highland spirit to complement the independent bottling business. Early vintages, especially 2014 and 2015, were tightly managed and often put into single casks for key partners. In 2021 Adelphi and London importer Top Selection marked 20 years of working together with this single cask 2015, bottled at natural strength. It sits in the transition period where Ardnamurchan had already established its house style of mildly coastal, waxy, slightly smoky Highland whisky but before the core range became widely available, which is why single casks from this era are handled carefully and sold selectively.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
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Ardnamurchan 2015 6 Year Old Single Cask 651, Adelphi Selection, for Top Selection, 59.1%, 70cl, 344 bottles.
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Other 2015 6 year old Adelphi Ardnamurchan casks exist (for example cask 672, 59.9%, ex Glen Moray wood, nicknamed Ardnagherkin) but these are different casks and must not be merged in inventory.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59.1% | 70cl | UK specialist, 2021 | Label notes Top Selection 20 Years, cask 651 | Highest for this commemorative run |
| 59-60% | 70cl | UK/EU other 2015 single casks | Different cask number, sometimes different wood | Parallel but separate |
| 59%+ | 70cl | Charity/special 2015 casks (RAF etc.) | Beneficiary or retailer named | Condition and story led |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Front label must show Ardnamurchan, 2015, 6 Years Old, cask 651, 59.1%, Adelphi Selection.
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Back label or carton should mention the 20 years of partnership with Top Selection.
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Bottle should be hand-numbered out of 344.
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Normal tall Ardnamurchan glass; no decanter or wooden box was issued.
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If the carton is absent or scuffed, state this, because collectors of early Ardnamurchan prefer complete packaging.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
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This is a single cask single malt Scotch whisky at natural colour and without chill filtration.
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Cask type is not stated by the producer; do not ascribe bourbon, sherry or wine without the bottle text.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes and distillery style)
Nose: Bright, malty and coastal to start; lemon peel, brine, honey and young-oak shavings.
Palate: Full because of 59.1%; sweet malt, citrus, maritime salt, peppery oak, a little smoke in the background.
Finish: Long, warming, slightly salty with oak spice.
With water: Water is recommended; it pushes fruit and wax forward and makes the coastal note less aggressive for service.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer, but 2021 UK single casks of similar age were commonly launched in the £90-£110 zone.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £99.00 at the lower end to £159.99-£169.99 at upper-end specialists.
Recent UK auction range (GBP, hammer): £90-£130 is a reasonable corridor for 6 year old Ardnamurchan Adelphi single casks when tube and cask number are clear.
Pricing stratification: tube and all data visible at the top; bottle-only or poorly photographed at the lower end; misdescribed as generic Ardnamurchan 2015 will underperform.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Good. Ardnamurchan single casks are followed closely by the distillery’s fanbase and sell through when they are clearly described.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date/era | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK specialist | 2025 | 70cl, 59.1%, cask 651, boxed | 159.99 | Upper end of current offers |
| UK specialist | 2025 | 70cl, 59.1%, cask 651 | 99.00 | Lower online offer |
| UK auction | 2024-2025 | 70cl, 59.1%, cask 651 | 90-130 | Condition and photosensitive |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Ardnamurchan is owned by Adelphi, so the bottler and distiller are effectively the same group. Capacity is modest, spirit is deliberately characterful, and single casks are a controlled output so that early vintages are not diluted on the market. This bottle demonstrates that approach neatly.
Sourcing
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Target cask 651 bottles with carton at or below £120.
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Avoid bottles that do not show the cask number in photos.
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Fill level should be high given 2021 bottling.
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Margin is healthy if bought below £120 and listed around £150-£165 given current specialist anchors.
