Ardnahoe – 5 Year Old Inaugural Release (50%)

This is the first single malt from Ardnahoe, an Islay distillery realised by the Laing family, known for Scarabus and Old Malt Cask. It was released five years after the distillery started production, and it is bottled at 50% ABV. The nose pairs peat smoke with baked apples, buttery shortbread and a touch of caramelised sea salt. On the palate, strong but elegant peat sits alongside vanilla custard, ginger, citrus and baked apple. The finish is long and dry, with peat smoke, caramel and gentle oak spice.