Ardnahoe Single Malt Scotch

The Ardnahoe distillery sits on Islay's northeast coast, between Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain. It was built in 2018 by the Hunter Laing family, independent bottlers and blenders since 1948, making it the island's ninth active distillery. With Port Ellen now back in production, Islay counts ten distilleries — with more on the way. Ardnahoe is the only distillery on Islay using worm tub condensers, and has a production capacity of under 1 million litres of pure alcohol a year.

The distillery's two lantern-shaped copper pot stills are fitted with the longest lyne arms in Scotland, feeding into those worm tubs for a heavier, oilier spirit. Fermentation runs long — 60 to 70 hours in Oregon pine washbacks — building the fruity character that balances Ardnahoe's peated (40ppm) new make.

Ardnahoe was built on a lifelong ambition of Stewart Laing, who first trained in whisky-making on Islay in the 1960s while working at Bruichladdich. Together with his sons Andrew and Scott, he brought that dream to life with a £12 million investment, giving Hunter Laing & Co. its own distillery after decades as independent bottlers.