Ardnahoe is one of the new distilleries on Islay, opened in 2019 by independent bottler Hunter Laing. Kudos for being so patient, waiting more than five years before releasing a product. Always a good sign, although you need other income streams to make this possible of course. In fact they initially planned to wait even longer, but the spirit turned out well and was ready sooner.
Their first available whisky is Ardnahoe Inaugural Release, a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks.
Ardnahoe Inaugural release 5 yo (50%, OB 2024, bourbon + sherry casks)
Nose: first a whiff of mezcal-like smoke. Sooty notes, a little molten plastic and smouldering herbs. Then some apple peelings and orange peels, backed bananas and subtle custard notes in the background. Light fatty notes and plenty of honeyed warmth. Black pepper and charred logs. Tomato vines and grass.
Mouth: quite dark and sooty again, with a nice oily mouthfeel. Campfire smoke and cinnamon, followed by apple sweetness, burnt pineapple and dark chocolate. Then vanilla custard, some barbecued meat and green pepper. Barbecued seafood too. Heavier than Caol Ila for sure, closer to Ardbeg I’d say. In any case quite impressive for a 5 year-old.
Finish: long, drier now, more on herbal notes and iodine, with smoked biscuits and a subtle citrus note.
A fairly classic South shore style, really well made, very confident and not too young. It almost seems as if they re-tasted their own bottlings of Port Ellen, Ardbeg and Lagavulin before drawing the blueprints for this spirit. Still available, check The Whisky Shop for instance.
After the inaugural release, Ardnahoe Infinite Loch is the first core range expression. The cask types are similar – perhaps more active since they’re explicitely mentioning first-fill casks. The whisky may be a bit younger too, just to make sure stocks are big enough.
Ardnahoe Infinite Loch (50%, OB 2024, first-fill bourbon + first-fill Oloroso casks)
Nose: much cleaner. Sweeter and more refined. There’s a minty layer, yellow orchard fruit and just a mild hint of bonfire smoke. Then oysters and chalky notes, a hint of seaweed and seaspray, lemon peels, black peppercorns and a wee hint of rubber.
Mouth: more intense now. Medicinal smoke, minerals, ashy notes and iodine. Also a biscuity note, plenty of malty notes and citrus. Sweet vanilla. Hints of leather over time, as well as a deeper sooty smokiness. Some herbal and salty echoes in the distance.
Finish: medium length, with a hint of chocolate alongside bonfire smoke and a pinch of salt.
Thinner than the first release, so this one comes closer to Caol Ila, in my opinion. It feels a little less mature too. Overall though, for a first look at the core range, this is very promising. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Royal Mile Whiskies for instance. Score: 85/100