Ardnahoe
The Laing family – known for the independent bottler Hunter Laing & Co. – opened Ardnahoe in November 2018, with support from whisky legend Jim McEwan, who had previously helped restore Bruichladdich to its former glory. That makes Ardnahoe Islay's ninth and youngest whisky distillery.
Ardnahoe sits between Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain with views over the Sound of Islay and the Paps of Jura, and is the only Islay distillery equipped with traditional worm tub condensers. The Ardnahoe Inaugural Release is the current entry point into this still-young distillery's range in our selection.
Content: 0.7 Liter (€102.84 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€92.84 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€99.99 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€105.70 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€147.13 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€132.84 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€115.70 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
How did a bottling family build their own distillery?
The Laing family's whisky history dates back to the 1940s, when Stewart Laing's father founded his own blending and bottling company. In 2013, Stewart Laing, together with his sons Andrew and Scott, founded the independent bottler Hunter Laing & Co. In 2015, the family secured a four-acre site by Loch Ardnahoe on Islay's north-east coast; construction began in 2016. Spirit first ran from the stills on 14 October 2018, the first cask was filled on 9 November, and the distillery officially opened to visitors in April 2019.
What makes Ardnahoe distinctive among Islay's distilleries?
Ardnahoe is the only distillery on Islay to use traditional worm tub condensers – old copper coil cooling systems submerged in water baths that produce a heavier, more full-bodied spirit. Its malt, peated to between 5 and 40 ppm, comes from the local Port Ellen Maltings; the distillery produces unpeated as well as lightly and heavily peated styles. The name Ardnahoe comes from Scottish Gaelic, meaning "height of the hollow".
The most popular bottling
1. Ardnahoe Inaugural Release 5 Year Old
The distillery's very first official bottling.
Taste: Smoky and maritime with youthful freshness.
Serving suggestion: For anyone wanting to follow one of Islay's youngest distilleries from the very beginning.
Facts and figures
Address: Loch Ardnahoe, Islay. Founded: 2018 by Stewart, Andrew, and Scott Laing (Hunter Laing & Co.). First spirit: 14 October 2018. Visitor centre: since April 2019, awarded 5 stars by VisitScotland.