ARDNAHOE BHOLSA SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
ISLAY, SCOTLAND
Islay has birthed a new obsession, and we're not the only ones who are completely smitten.
When last we brought you treasures from Ardnahoe—a pair of stunning expressions that earned prestigious medals from The Whisk[e]y Wash 2025 Awards — you all embraced them with the kind of enthusiasm that reminded us why we love this business. And now we have the honor of bringing you their latest bottling, Bholsa. Everything that's brilliant about this upstart distillery is here on ample display, along with a virtuosic demonstration of their gift for Oloroso sherry cask maturation. And for only $57.97, this is a debut that will be hard to resist.
The Whisk[e]y Wash nailed it in their review, calling it "a great example of a 'peat-sweet' whisky": "With notes of sherried fruits and chocolate, the Oloroso sherry cask maturation is evident," it went on to say, "but effectively balanced by waves of earthy peat and smoke … [and] for the age there's plenty of complexity between layers of peat and sweetness."
One of the things we love most about it is the way that that sweetness works its magic, turning a 100 proof single malt into something that goes down so smoothly and easily.
That's not to say that this is a simple, streamlined expression. Anything but.
In our recent tasting, we kept coming back to our glass to find new dimensions, new details.
The nose is an experience in itself, opening with a burst of red fruits, roasted nuts, and orange zest, while peat smoke weaves through each of these evocative notes like incense in a cathedral. On the palate, this vibrancy modulates into something deep, rich, and almost sticky-savory, with juicy layers of plump raisins, dates, and figs providing the sweet foundation, while a hint of biscuits and cinnamon add some marvelous top notes. The finish stretches on beautifully, with smoke lingering alongside candied fruits, a touch of ginger, and a peaty, peppercorn warmth that could come from nowhere else but Islay.
This kind of complexity and refinement doesn't happen by accident. The Laing family didn't stumble into greatness. They’ve been building toward Ardnahoe since the 1940s, accumulating whisky stocks and expertise across generations before Stewart Laing and his sons finally planted their flag on Islay's postcard-perfect northeast shores.
As other distilleries have been working to modernize their equipment, Ardnahoe has deliberately taken an old-school approach. Witness their proud use of worm tub condensers — massive copper coils that cool the spirit slowly and gently, adding texture and complexity that faster methods simply can't match. Combined with water drawn from the island's most enigmatic loch, it's a ratification of the past that is paying massive dividends in the present.
We can’t wait for you to taste this for yourself. But hurry, our allocation is limited, and anything Islay flies out of here.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, LA, MI, MO, NC, NE, NY, OK, TN, VA, & WA. This offer will expire on Monday, September 1, 2025.