Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry Oloroso
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Hunter Laing & Co.
Average price: € 65,00
Official website: ardnahoedistillery.com
Following the Inaugural Release some time ago, here is the first whisky in the Islay distillery’s core portfolio, similar in character to the first bottling but losing its age statement.
Made from first-fill casks, the bottle pays homage to the nearby lake that provides the water (and the name) for the distillery, traditionally called ‘Infinity’ because of its depth.
Tasting Notes
The nose has a rather delicate, almost closed profile that needs some time in the glass to open up. When it does, a vegetal, slightly marine peat with woody undertones emerges, caressing malted biscuits, baked apple, dried apricot, pineapple in syrup, a hint of spices (nutmeg, sweet paprika, cumin), liquorice powder. In the background, nuts (roasted hazelnuts, almonds) and dried red fruits. Simple but pleasant.
On the palate, the spices (black pepper, nutmeg) continue the theme of toasted malt and cooked fruit, with peat always discreetly present. Yellow fruit, nuts, red fruit, candied orange and some pastry notes (baked cream, shortcrust pastry) complete the picture, with a savoury, marine side that closes the sip.
Quite long in the mouth with pungent spices, malt, cooked fruit, toasted almonds and hazelnuts, sweet liquorice, salt and glowing embers.
Quite the step back from the debut, losing much of its ‘charge’ to choose paths already seen and reassuring. Nevertheless, a very pleasant and fluid dram, but one that lacks sharpness and shows only glimpses of the distillery’s personality.
Vote: 83/100