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The Ardnahoe distillery is owned by the Scottish company Hunter Laing & Co and has been operating since the beginning of 2019. Specialists highly appreciate the potential of the brand. It is expected that drinks will be able to compete with other Islay brands due to slow distillation, giving alcohols a dense structure and a rich fruity taste.
Historical information
Ardnahoe founder Stuart Laing entered the industry in the 60s. For almost half a century he worked at the Bruichladdich factory and learned all the intricacies of whiskey production. In 2015, with the support of his sons, Laing decided to put the experience he had gained into his own business and purchased a plot of land in the northeastern part of Islay, where he built a plant, which became the ninth enterprise in the region. The total investment amounted to 12 million pounds.
The production complex was built on the shores of Loch Ardnaho, after which the brand was named. Management was taken over by experienced distiller Jim McEwan, who worked for Bowmore for a long time. It was based on the concept of making whiskey using the old technologies traditional for Islay.
The plant is equipped with fermentation tanks made of Oregon pine, which helps to create an optimal environment for the development of yeast. By order of the company, the specialists of the Speyside Copperworks workshop produced two distillation stills from copper with a volume of 11 and 13 thousand liters. Their feature is a long outlet from the neck to the condenser, which helps to clean alcohol vapor from heavy impurities.
Raw materials and production
The water comes from the depths of Loch Ardnahoe, where it is naturally purified by seeping through the peat. To give the malt a smoky taste, it is fumigated for 20 hours. Then the grains are ground in an old mill, which is over 100 years old. This is the only non-new equipment at the enterprise.
Primary fermentation takes 65 to 70 hours. During this time, the yeast introduces characteristic fruity notes into the wort. The subsequent distillation and cooling of the vapors in the so-called worm baths is very slow. At this time, alcohol acquires a complex and oily structure. For aging, 70% bourbon casks and 20% Spanish sherry casks are used.
Interesting Facts
The factory from the first day of its existence is open to visitors who can observe the process of making whiskey. There is a restaurant on the territory where tourists can still taste not the products of the Ardnahoe brand, but whiskey and rum from the rich collection of the owner of the enterprise.
Hunter Laing & Co has teamed up with Islay Woolen Mill to create a collection of tweed accessories in the colors of the Islay landscape. The line is called Ardnahoe Tweed and includes branded bags, flasks and scarves. Products are sold in the distillery shop.
Characteristics of whiskey Ardnaho
The official opening ceremony of the enterprise took place in April 2019. A whole team of employees develops formulations for the international market. Distillation is in full swing, spirits are poured into barrels and put into storage. The products will be ready for bottling in at least three years, which is exactly the time a drink needs to be called Scotch whisky. The manufacturer offers everyone to buy a barrel of Ardnahoe whiskey of the first year of release, and pick up the purchase after the drink has fully matured.
