Ardnahoe Bholsa Single Islay Malt Whisky 50%

The Bholsa caves sit in the cliffs not far from the distillery. You can walk into them, and most people remember the trip. Ardnahoe named a whisky after them, and it is as dark and as insistent as the name suggests.

The Expert's Description

Ardnahoe Bholsa is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured mainly in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 50%. It is neither chill filtered nor coloured, which preserves its natural depth.

Ardnahoe opened in October 2018 as Islay’s ninth distillery, built by the independent bottler Hunter Laing. It stands out technically: it is the only distillery on Islay using worm tubs to cool the spirit, and its lyne arms are the longest in Scotland at 7.5 metres. Both choices give a fuller, oilier spirit.

The Oloroso casks lay dark fruit and nuts beneath the Islay peat smoke, and at 50% there is body enough to carry both without either taking over.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense red fruit first, then roasted walnuts and fresh orange peel. Beneath sits an elegant peat smoke, clear without being sharp.

Palate

Layers of raisins, sweet dates and juicy plums open, all balanced by Islay’s characteristic peat smoke. The texture is full and lightly oily, worm tubs in practice. At 50% the concentration holds the whole way.

Finish

Long and spiced, with a touch of black pepper and a smoke that lingers beneath the dark fruit.

Specifications

Name: Ardnahoe Bholsa Single Islay Malt Whisky 50%
Distillery: Ardnahoe
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Mainly Oloroso sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Bholsa
EAN no.: 5060354287996

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Sherry Matured · Dark Fruit · Spiced · Full Bodied · Maritime

Did You Know?

Ardnahoe draws its water from Loch Ardnahoe, said to be the deepest loch on Islay. That was one of the main reasons the site was chosen for the distillery: plentiful clean, soft water with a natural peat character from the surrounding landscape.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ardnahoe Bholsa Single Islay Malt Whisky 50%

What does the name Bholsa mean?

It refers to the Bholsa caves, which sit in the cliffs close to the distillery. They leave an impression on those who visit them, and the whisky is named after them.

What are worm tubs, and why do they matter?

Worm tubs are the old way of condensing spirit vapour: a coiled copper pipe submerged in a tub of cold water. The method gives less copper contact than a modern condenser, and the result is a heavier, oilier spirit. Ardnahoe is the only distillery on Islay using them.

How smoky is Bholsa compared with other Islay whiskies?

The peat smoke is clear, but the sherry casks lay dark fruit over the top, so the whole is more rounded than a purely bourbon matured Islay. To compare across the island, see our range of Scotch Whisky.

Who is behind Ardnahoe?

Hunter Laing, an independent bottling house founded in 2013 by Stewart Hunter Laing together with his sons Andrew and Scott. Ardnahoe is the family’s first distillery of their own, and it opened in October 2018.

Why is there no age statement?

Because the distillery is new. Ardnahoe began distilling in 2018, so all its whisky is still young. The distillery bottles by taste rather than by date, which is normal for newly opened houses.

What do the long lyne arms do?

The lyne arm is the pipe between the still and the condenser. Ardnahoe’s are 7.5 metres and the longest in Scotland. The longer the journey, the more heavy vapour falls back into the still, which normally gives a lighter spirit, here counteracted by the worm tubs.