Ardnahoe 5 Innagural Release

The first release from this new Islay distillery, the first to open since Kilchoman but not the last to open with at least 2 more following it. But this distillery has caught my attention since it was first announced for one really good reason. This is the first distillery on Islay to be running the condensation through a worm tub.

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay  

Color: 0.8 deep gold or a bit darker (NCA)

ABV: 50% (NCF) 

Nose: Woodsmoke, roasted walnuts, polished oak, serrano ham, caramel, dates, dried cherry, slightly herbal smoke, slightly dry and toasty on the nose.  

Palate: Caramel, lemon, dry wood smoke, dates, chervil, dried fig paste, lemon, pineapple, guava, polished oak, tarragon, toasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon, black tea and some good Italian espresso  

Finish: Medium-long; caramel, smoke, tinned pineapple, lemon candy, a good northern Italian espresso, dates, a drop of honey, vanilla  

Rating: 89  

Summary: This is Islay malt, but not entirely obvious that it is an Islay malt due I think to the casks employed. It’s not the most smoky whisky from the island and by all reports it wasn’t aiming to be in any way from what I’ve seen, but it’s certainly smoky. Somewhere around Talisker – Ledaig – Caol Ila spectrum. The worm tubs here have in my mind given this a character that bears similarity to Talisker, but it is a bit more smoky than the normal Talisker. It’s also excellent and I’m looking forward to future releases from this distillery.