Ardnahoe Bholsa

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Ardnahoe - Islay

Predominantly Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 40 ppm 

 

 

 

And here is the second representative of Ardnahoe's Core Range, launched in March 2025. It is mainly aged in Oloroso Sherry Casks, around 60%, with the remainder consisting of Bourbon Casks. The absence of colouring and chill filtration is encouraging. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is a bit dry, red plum skin, dates, tanned leather, roasted nuts, a zest of blood orange, raspberry purée. The peat is definitely there, ash and soot, dark chocolate, dried meat spread with caramel. Candied cherries. On the palate, red fruit coulis, shortbread biscuits, Williams pear, light woodiness and subtle spices, raisins, liquorice. It's a little light. Fairly long finish, gently powerful, dried figs, hazelnuts, dirty charcoal, ginger, a few more red fruits. A touch of acidity. 

 

In Short, 

The sherry isn't too strong, nor is the peat. I'd need to taste it again, but I didn't detect any mineral or coastal notes either. This makes for a lovely whisky, with fruity, meaty and slightly acidic notes, without being unpleasant, but for me it lacks that little something that gives Islay its identity. Honestly, it's good, but I was expecting better, especially as the price is still high for a non-age-statement whisky. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Liv Sangster - Lonely Road

Ardnahoe Infinite Loch

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

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

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