Ardnahoe cherishes it owns Appreciation Society
The Ardnahoe Distillery Appreciation Society is quite a young Facebook group which has around 750 members. The participants are enthusiastic fans of one of the youngest distilleries on Islay. On Friday 5 September 2025, the first online tasting was undertaken, with no less than 7 samples tasted and enjoyed. As a member of the group, I gladly responded to the idea of organiser Martin Brendel to participate. In the tasting we were joined by Distillery Manager David Livingstone, Visitor Centre Team Leader Samantha Turnbull and Senior Tour Guide Emily Burnham. Participants joined in from all over Europe, even America! Below, I have noted my impressions on the Ardnahoe whiskies, and also linked through to expressions I had already tasted here on LPA. Keep in mind, these are tasting notes not made in the usual way, so I stand for the scores but they might have varied when approached in my usual manner.
The tasting was filled with delighted chatter, but we did manage to distil some intel from all this. Ardnahoe plays it by ear what they are going to release while going forward into the future. It is always up to the Hunter Laing family and what they deem best. The focus is on single malt quality, bottled at least at 50 % abv, and no focus on quantity. Keep your eyes peeled on the Ardnahoe channels for new releases, perhaps even the next instalment in the core range now consisting of Infinite Loch and Bholsa. Someone suggested a cask strength version, and I would not mind at all if that was the case! Of course, this is all hush hush information (but you read it here first).
Here some impressions from the samples.
Sample 1 – Ardnahoe Inaugural Release
Tasting notes here.
A release with which Ardnahoe deliberately waited to bottle until it was ready. They did not do a 3 year old, but waited until the whisky turned 5 years old. A perfectly rounded and balanced dram! In this lineup it is a contender for the top 2 or 3 of the best.
Sample 2 – Ardnahoe Infinite Loch
Tasting notes here.
Tasted now next to the Inaugural only underlines how brilliant that Inaugural release actually is. This Infinite Loch is more oily and adds more viscosity to the palate. A cleaner expression, but also a tad less dangerous than the Inaugural.
Sample 3 – Ardnahoe Bholsa
Tasting notes here.
In this lineup quite dirty compared to the first two Ardnahoe. Still a satisfying dram, but peaters and sherry maturation is always walking a tightrope
Sample 4 – Ardnahoe Feis Ile 2024
Cask make-up: Composed from first fill and refill bourbon casks, resulting in a batch of 931 bottles. Impressions: A bit of vanilla and a bit of buttery cream. Obviously infused with peat smoke and a tad hot at 59,3 % abv. This works perfectly fine for me, with lemon zest up front, and maritime hints towards the finish. Of course it is hot while undiluted, with a good dash of vanilla peat. With water it has a little trouble to stay stable, with some fruity blanks and a hint of cardboard, but it is a big, big dram! Definitely some liquorice engrained throughout the whole experience. Score: 85 points.
Sample 5 – Ardnahoe Society 2024
Tasting notes here.
Compared to the cask strength Feis Ile 2024 we tasted before this, this is an easy drinker, even though the abv is almost the same. The sherry casks soften the impact. This expression was and is for many one of the best Ardnahoe out there, and I do agree. In this entire tasting it is up there with the Inaugural Release.
Sample 6 – Ardnahoe Feis Ile 2025
Cask make-up: Fully matured on first fill bourbon, and a release of 1116 bottles. Six years old and again at high abv: 59,6 %. Impressions: Very similar to the Feis Ile 2024 but it seems to have more liquorice and vanilla, which signs the absence of the refill casks. More sweetness and no more hints of cardboard. My friend next to me on the couch picked this one as his favourite of the tasting. For me it is a tie with the Feis Ile 2024. Score: 85 points.
Sample 7 – Ardnahoe Warehouse No. 1 sample
Cask make-up: PX quarter cask at 60,2 %, distilled in 2019. Impressions: Specially drawn for this tasting. Nice chocolate notes and incredible peat power, with nice spices and balanced wood, despite coming from active wood. You can see some resemblance with the Ardnahoe Society release, which remains one of my favourites. Score: 85 points.
And with that, we rounded up. My ride was waiting for I left the meeting a bit early, but thanks again for organizing this tasting, Martin, and many thanks also to David, Emily and Samantha for entertaining us with many impressions and facts! We look forward to the months and years to come with Ardnahoe. The weather on Islay seems fine indeed.