50°
Distillery : Ardnahoe - Islay
1st Fill Bourbon and 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Casks
Original Bottling
Core Range
Single Malt
Launched in 2024
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Peated around 40 ppm
After launching its Inaugural Release in May 2024, Ardnahoe released the first product in its Core Range in November of the same year. Given the distillery's youth, it is not aged, but it is non-chill filtered and contains no colouring. The ageing process offers a balance between Bourbon and Sherry.
The Bourbon is generous, with caramel, vanilla and crème brûlée notes, along with coastal and iodine hints, dried seaweed and sea salt. White chocolate, orange peel and various citrus fruits. Vegetable peat, dried hay and chalky earth. Nougatine. On the palate, orchard fruits, green apples and Williams pears, perhaps a nectarine, soft biscuits dipped in milk, sponge cake, creamy vanilla. Relatively subtle spices, a pinch of cinnamon. A finish with character, pipe tobacco, smoked fish, waxed wood, lemonade, roasted nuts. Pistachio. A hint of minerality.
In Short,
It's really interesting, although still a little young and a little too bourbon-dominated for my taste. I would have given it 7 or 8 years rather than around 5, you don't really notice its youth, but it is still a little light on the palate. It shows promise, but they will need to do better if they want to reach the level of Caol Ila 12 Year Old or Ardbeg Ten. The price seems a little steep to me, but we must support young distilleries.
Score : 86
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Racing Mount Pleasant - Your New Place

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