Ardnahoe Inaugural Release 5 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Ardnahoe - Islay

80% Ex-Bourbon and 20% Ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 40 ppm 

It's sure to be one of this year's small events in the world of whisky: Ardnahoe is finally releasing its first Single Malt, after more than 5 years of waiting. It is to the credit of the team who run the distillery that they have waited 5 years, rather than launching very young juices full of flaws. But the owners are the Hunter Laing group, who are already well known in the whisky trade, and their company gives them the funds to produce the best whisky possible. I've read here and there that the number of bottles put up for sale is enormous, 70,000, but some also say 20,000. So we can't be sure of anything, but the figure is significant in any case. The maturation comes from an interesting blending, no cold filtration, a respectable peat content, all the conditions are there for us to enjoy.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite fine smoky peat, clear and iodised, ethereal, fresh, maritime, with bourbonnesque hints, mirabelle plums and lychees, Chasselas grapes. After a while, it becomes more citrusy, but without acidity, with a very slight salty minerality. Pineapple, kumquat, but also a few astringent notes, wet dog, fish scales, limestone, so that it's not too smooth. Sweet and peppery on the palate, rose liqueur, a dash of lemon, a good dose of peat and spice, a touch of woody bitterness. This bitterness becomes creamier on the finish, like a confit of asparagus, prickly pear, prawn crisps, it's powerful, even a little too aggressive. On the other hand, it's very long, young wood, raw chestnuts, granola, maple syrup, cola.

 

In Short, 

I think the nose is very good, especially given the age of the spirit. It's not entirely complex, but it's nuanced and subtle. On the palate, it's well done too, the pepper is just a little strong, and I'm not fond of that little touch of bitterness. The finish is long and powerful, it's really successfull for a 5 year old, I wouldn't have batted an eyelid if someone had told me it was twice as old. I'm really impressed. As for the price, it's high, but that's normal, the distillery has to recoup its costs.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Thurston Moore - Sans Limites