Ardnahoe 5 yo Inaugural Release

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 50% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This Inaugural Release is the first single malt Ardnahoe released under its own name. The whisky matured for five years in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. This limited debut release brings together powerful Islay peat smoke and notes of apple and biscuits. It was bottled at 50% alcohol without chill filtration or added colouring.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, crumbly buttery biscuits and baked apple mingle with powerful Islay peat smoke.
• Palate: On the palate, the whisky evokes creamy custard, accompanied by ginger, lemon zest and more baked apple.
• Finish: The finish lingers and remains smoky.

Distillery/Bottler:

Ardnahoe is the creation of Stewart Laing and his sons Andrew and Scott. By founding Glasgow-based whisky blender and bottler Hunter Laing & Co. Ltd in 2013, they laid the foundations for their long-held ambition to produce their own whisky. They found a site beside Loch Ardnahoe in northeastern Islay in 2015, and construction began in late 2016. The distillery carried out its first distillation runs in October 2018 and filled cask number 001 on 9 November 2018. After five years of maturation, the Inaugural Release became the first release of its own single malt.

Ardnahoe uses water from neighbouring Loch Ardnahoe. Fermentation lasts around 65 to 70 hours and takes place in four wooden washbacks made from Oregon Pine. Slow distillation then follows in two copper pot stills, whose long, descending lyne arms allow extensive contact between the vapour and copper. Traditional worm tubs are used for condensation: copper coils sit in tanks of cold water, cooling the vapour back into liquid. These methods are part of the distillery’s general production practices.

Facts: