Ardnahoe – Infinite Loch (70cl, 50%)

This is Ardnahoe Infinite Loch, the first core release from the Islay distillery. It is a single malt made from heavily peated spirit at 40ppm, bottled at 50% in a 70cl bottle, without chill-filtration or added colour. It was matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon and first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. The name comes from Loch Ardnahoe, the distillery's water source, known on Islay as the Infinite Loch because nobody knows how deep it is. The nose has sea spray and salty Islay peat with dark chocolate. On the palate, menthol and fresh fruit sit alongside bonfire smoke. The finish is smoky and lively, with lingering peat that fades to a fresh aftertaste.