About Ardnahoe Distillery
Ardnahoe is a modern Islay distillery on the island’s north-east coast, looking across the Sound of Islay towards Jura. Hunter Laing & Company created it as the family firm’s first distillery after decades working as Scotch whisky blenders and independent bottlers.
The site was chosen in 2015 beside Loch Ardnahoe. Construction began after planning work, and distillation started in October 2018. The first cask was filled on 9 November that year, making Ardnahoe the island’s newest operating distillery at the time.
History
Stewart Laing and his sons Andrew and Scott formed Hunter Laing & Company in 2013, drawing on family involvement in whisky dating to the 1940s. Building Ardnahoe turned their accumulated knowledge of casks, blending and bottling into a new-make production project.
Ardnahoe released its inaugural single malt after the spirit had passed the minimum maturation required for Scotch whisky. Its early history is therefore still unfolding: unlike Islay’s nineteenth-century names, the interest lies in watching a deliberately traditional production design establish a house style.
What makes it distinctive
Water comes from Loch Ardnahoe. Fermentation takes place in Oregon pine washbacks and is managed to create a fruity wash before distillation in two lantern-shaped copper stills. Long, descending lyne arms increase copper contact while carrying vapour towards the condensers.
The most distinctive equipment is the pair of traditional worm tubs. Copper coils submerged in cold water condense the vapour slowly; Ardnahoe is the only Islay distillery using this arrangement. Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks are central to maturation, while the spirit itself is made with peated malt.
Whisky character and significance
Official production descriptions aim for a combination of fruit, peat and texture. Because Ardnahoe’s mature stock is comparatively young, it is better understood through current releases and distillery tastings than through a long-established range of old age statements.
Visiting Ardnahoe Distillery
The distillery was designed with visitors in mind and offers production tours, tastings, a shop and views from the still house. The official accessibility guide notes that much of the route is level, while the open-grille area beside the worm tubs may require individual consideration.
Location and surrounding area
Ardnahoe sits between Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain in northern Islay. Reaching it involves narrow island roads, and a booking should be coordinated with ferries, other distillery appointments and realistic driving time rather than added casually to a crowded schedule.
- Whisky region
- Islay
- Location
- Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RN
- Visitor information
- Check the official website for current tours, tastings, access and booking arrangements.