Ardnahoe Càraid Ileach 100% Oloroso Quarter Cask Limited Edition 2025

Profile: The Ardnahoe Càraid Ileach 100% Oloroso Quarter Cask Limited Edition 2025 at a glance

• Premiere: Ardnahoe Càraid Ileach Edition No. 1: 100% Oloroso Quarter Casks
• Limited to 2,510 bottles and exclusively for the German market
• Fully matured in rare Oloroso Sherry Quarter Casks
• Natural: Bottled without added coloring & not chillfiltered, at a robust 50% ABV.

Portrait: What makes the Ardnahoe Càraid Ileach 100% Oloroso Quarter Cask Limited Edition 2025 special

The Ardnahoe Càraid Ileach 100% Oloroso Quarter Cask Limited Edition 2025 is one of those bottlings where you can tell from the name alone that someone has put a lot of thought into it. “Càraid Ileach” means something like “the Islay pair” in Scottish Gaelic. It sounds romantic, but it primarily refers to two strictly limited sibling bottlings that are making history together. Edition No. 1 confidently uses 100% Oloroso Sherry Quarter Casks and foregoes any cask partnership. Behind it all is the Ardnahoe Distillery, one of the youngest distilleries on Islay.
Located between Port Askaig and Caol Ila, overlooking the Sound of Islay, Ardnahoe combines modern technology with classic craftsmanship.
The distillery is operated by Hunter Laing & Co., an independent bottler with decades of experience – seasoned veterans with a fresh start. Since its opening in 2019, Ardnahoe has been considered a beacon of hope for a new generation of Islay whiskies that don't copy tradition, but rather build upon it. The special feature of this limited edition lies not only in its contents, but above all in the cask. Quarter casks hold only around 50 liters and are rather unusual in the world of whisky.
They usually appear as a brief stopover or single cask, but maturation exclusively in Sherry Quarter Casks is a true rarity. This is precisely what makes the Ardnahoe Càraid Ìleach a world first – and a small logistical adventure, as these casks are rare and demanding to handle.
The German Exclusive Edition was bottled at 50.0% ABV, without added coloring or chill filtration. Limited to exactly 2,510 bottles, it is not only a collector's item but also clear proof that Ardnahoe is willing to take bold steps. In short: An Islay pairing you won't soon forget – even without a love letter, but with plenty of character.

Cask type: ex-Oloroso Sherry Quarter Casks
Outturn: 2,510 bottles

"Càraid Ìleach" (pronounced: Car - ich Ee - luch) is Scottish Gaelic and means "the Islay pairing".

Tasting Notes: This is how the Ardnahoe Càraid Ileach 100% Oloroso Quarter Cask Limited Edition 2025 tastes like

• Nose: On the nose, intense aromas of dark cocoa are revealed, accompanied by dried orange peel. These are joined by dark cherries and a hint of cold campfire ash, which lends the overall impression a distinctive, slightly smoky depth.
• Palate: On the palate, roasted walnuts and spicy fruitcake unfold. Subtle hints of nutmeg provide additional warmth and structure, while the notes are densely and harmoniously interwoven.
• Finish: The finish is rich and lingering. What remains are subtle leather notes and a gentle, characteristic Islay peatiness that slowly fades away, giving the whisky an elegant finish.