ARDNAHOE DISTILLERY
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
ISLAY, SCOTLAND
Why Buy: Something special is happening on Islay. The first new releases from a new distillery on the island in 15 years have arrived, and when word got out that Jim McEwan — the legendary figure behind Bowmore and Bruichladdich — was joining as production director, the entire whisky world stood at attention. Now, with two prestigious medals from The Whiskey Wash 2025 Awards and glowing reviews from major publications, Ardnahoe is proving the excitement was more than justified. And we can tell you, after reveling in the purity and beauty of these two (a major h/t to their extraordinary water source), this isn't cheap hype — it's a great new chapter in Islay whisky-making, one that honors tradition while blazing its own trail.
What They're Saying: Whisky Magazine captured it perfectly: "This single malt has a complexity and richness that belie its age, and the bourbon and sherry cask characters are very well balanced." The Whiskey Wash validated this assessment, awarding Silver and Bronze medals at their 2025 Awards — remarkable achievements for such a young distillery.
Our Tasting Notes: This is Islay reimagined. Beautiful dark fruits mingle on the nose with dark chocolate and toffee, while gentle smoke weaves through like a Highland mist. The palate brings that characteristic Islay peat forward, but in an unexpectedly elegant way — more fragrant than fierce, perfectly balanced with notes of milk chocolate, bright citrus, and orchard fruits. The finish is a masterclass in subtlety, with toffee apple and whispers of smoke that seem to echo the distillery's spectacular views across the Sound of Islay.
The Story: Perched on a hillside along Islay's northeast shores, Ardnahoe takes its name from the mysterious loch that feeds it — what locals call the "infinite loch," because no one knows the true extent of its hidden depths. This sense of mystery and possibility infuses everything about this operation. The distillery filled its first cask in 2018, bringing modern precision to traditional methods — they're the only distillery on Islay to use worm tub condensers, and they maintain the longest lyne arms in Scotland: all in pursuit of a spirit that's both distinctive and refined.
Serving Suggestion: While this single malt certainly holds its own neat, a few drops of water unlock additional layers of fruit and smoke. Perfect alongside a cheese board featuring aged cheddar, or as a contemplative pour while watching the sun set over the Sound of Islay … if only in your mind's eye.
ABV: Both are 50% (100 proof).
Fun Fact: The distillery's water source, Ardnahoe Loch, is the deepest on Islay, filled entirely by precipitation run-off from the surrounding hills. The resulting water is incredibly soft, having never touched mineral-rich bedrock — a unique characteristic that contributes to the whisky's distinctive profile.
Our Guarantee: As always, we source every bottle directly from the distillery, ensuring perfect provenance. Given the excitement surrounding this inaugural release, we expect demand to be significant, so order yours today!