I do know that I’m a bit late to the get together on this one – every thing new and thrilling simply appears to take just a bit longer to succeed in me right here in South Africa. However, higher late than by no means! This specific whisky, because the title suggests, is the very first whisky to be launched by Ardnahoe.
Ardnahoe is a reasonably new distillery. It’s the ninth distillery on Islay, and was based by the Hunter Laing household, who’re the workforce behind the Glasgow-based unbiased blenders and bottlers, Hunter Laing & Co. Ltd. The title of the distillery comes from its location subsequent to Loch Ardnahoe, which can be the water supply for the distillery.
Development of the distillery began in 2016. Two years later, in 2018, Ardnahoe formally started distilling. On condition that their very first casks have been stuffed in November 2018, the truth that they waited till 2024 to launch their first whisky is probably a bit uncommon. They might technically have launched a whisky three years in the past, however as an alternative they opted to attend a bit longer with the intention to launch this 5-year-old whisky (which most likely incorporates some virtually 6-year-old whisky). Their persistence on this regard looks as if a promising indication that Ardnahoe might be very a lot fascinated by producing some high quality whisky.
Many newly established distilleries will start promoting their whisky as quickly because it reaches the authorized minimal age (three years in Scotland). This doesn’t imply the whisky is essentially unhealthy – it’s simply younger. It’s considerably stunning that Ardnahoe didn’t do that too. Establishing a brand new distillery is a pricey enterprise, in any case, and requires vital funding by way of constructing or organising services and gear, and buying elements. Given the authorized specifictions across the age of whisky, distilleries have to attend a very long time earlier than this ultimate product will be bought. By releasing a whisky that has solely been aged for 3 years, distilleries can start to usher in money move to cowl their prices, keep manufacturing, and hold the enterprise viable whereas ready for some older inventory to mature.
Whereas Ardnahoe was the primary new distillery to be constructed on Islay in 15 years, it’s truly now not the latest distillery on Islay. Port Ellen distillery simply reopened on the 19th of March this 12 months. After 40 years of closure, Port Ellen has already launched two 44-year-old whiskies which might be obtainable as a pair. Named the Gemini Assortment, the pair of whiskies have been taken from European Oak casks which have been stuffed again in 1978 earlier than the distillery’s closure. There are a really restricted variety of these whiskies obtainable, and their rarity and spectacular age statements include a predictably astronomical price ticket (presently simply over $58,000 for a set) – so it’s secure to say that these whiskies are primarily focused at collectors. Whereas Port Ellen has now restarted whisky manufacturing, it’ll nonetheless take a while earlier than any new whisky reaches maturity, and so wider availability of Port Ellen’s whisky is probably going nonetheless just a few years away.
For a median client, the Inaugural Launch from Ardnahoe can be a reasonably pricy whisky. I can discover a bottle for just below $190 (roughly the identical worth as a bottle of Glen Scotia 18, or a bottle of Glenmorangie Signet). It’s a restricted version, so its worth is prone to hold climbing because it turns into more durable and more durable to search out.
This whisky has been matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, and bottled at what Ardnahoe states is their most popular energy of fifty% ABV – so you may anticipate that it’ll pack a little bit of a punch. It’s additionally pure color and non-chill filtered.
Ardnahoe has truly already launched a second whisky with very related specs – their Infinite Loch (a no-age-statement whisky), can be matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It is usually bottled at 50% ABV, naturally colored and non-chill filtered. With such sturdy parallels between the 2, it might be fascinating to conduct a facet by facet comparability – one thing I’ll take into consideration making an attempt as soon as their newest whisky launch lastly makes an look round right here.
One thing else to notice about Ardnahoe is that also they are one of some distilleries which make use of worm tubs. Solely a handful of distilleries nonetheless use worm tubs (some notable examples embody Talisker and Craigellachie). Worm tubs are an previous, conventional type of condenser that utilise lengthy copper pipes (or “worms”) that wind by giant tubs of chilly water. The usage of worm tubs is alleged to lead to a heavier whisky, with what is commonly described as one thing of a “meaty” character. It is because worm tubs have a tendency to chill vapor shortly, so there may be supposedly much less copper contact in comparison with trendy condensers. Because of this, the spirit produced typically finally ends up retaining extra of the heavier, sulphurous compounds that copper normally helps to take away. This will result in extra earthy or savoury notes within the ultimate whisky, which some individuals take pleasure in – and this may be one thing to probably look out for in a whisky from Ardnahoe.
Ardnahoe 5 Inaugural Launch – Evaluate
Color: Tawny.
On the nostril: Hefty peat smoke, with an virtually wealthy and meaty high quality to it. I discovered there have been additionally loads of recent fruity notes that jumped out – pear, inexperienced melon and mango. A barely spicy be aware lurks within the background, which jogs my memory of cinnamon, with the tiniest contact of aniseed.
Within the mouth: A really noticeable mouth-coating and viscous texture, which lends the whisky fairly a gentle and rounded really feel – one thing a bit stunning for a younger whisky with such a excessive ABV. Peaty, however maybe not as intense because the nostril would counsel. Buttery shortbread. Some barely darker fruit notes, plums and strawberries. An fragrant woody be aware makes an look, adopted by a spicy prickle which lingers for a while.
A drop of water helped to make the fruit notes on the nostril a lot brighter and sweeter. The buttery be aware on the palate was enormously diminished, and I discovered that the whisky misplaced the viscosity that I had loved.
Conclusion:
Regardless of its comparatively younger age, the Ardnahoe Inaugural Launch didn’t strike me as an clearly immature whisky. It was complicated sufficient, and likewise managed to really feel moderately well-rounded. That being stated, youth and peat go properly collectively (as anybody who has tasted Ardbeg’s 5-year-old Wee Beastie can attest to), and I feel followers of peated whisky wouldn’t be sad with this one. I personally additionally loved the fruitiness of this whisky, significantly the aroma of recent mangos that I received on the nostril.
This primary-ever launch is, nevertheless, a bit on the costly facet for my funds. But with restricted bottles obtainable, and all of the hype surrounding this new distillery, it’s worth is comprehensible sufficient. All in all, I definitely loved this whisky, and I sit up for tasting extra of what Ardnahoe has to supply sooner or later.
