The Ardnahoe Distillery was founded in 2018 on the Scottish island of Islay by Stewart Laing and his sons Andrew and Scott. The Laing family, known for the independent bottler Hunter Laing & Co., thus fulfilled their dream of owning their own distillery.
The distillery is located on the northeast coast of Islay, between the Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain distilleries, near Loch Ardnahoe. The name "Ardnahoe" means "height of the hollow" in Scottish Gaelic.
Ardnahoe is characterized by special production methods and equipment. It is the only distillery on Islay that uses worm tub condensers, in which copper coils in cold water slowly condense the alcohol vapors, giving the whisky a special depth and complexity. The stills are equipped with the longest lyne arms in Scotland, which maximize the contact of the alcohol vapor with the copper and thus influence the character of the distillate. Fermentation takes place in four Oregon pine washbacks over a period of 60 to 70 hours to promote fruity aromas.
In May 2024, Ardnahoe launched its first whisky – a five-year-old single malt, matured in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 50% abv.
The distillery has a visitor centre with a shop, whisky bar and restaurant. Since opening in 2019, Ardnahoe has welcomed numerous visitors and has been awarded five stars by VisitScotland.
Ardnahoe combines traditional production methods with modern technology, contributing to the unique diversity of Islay whiskies.
