Ardnahoe Distillery’s Second Release, “INFINITE LOCH”: A New Depth on Islay

2026.10.05

In short: INFINITE LOCH is the second release from Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay, founded by Hunter Laing and first distilled in October 2018 — about 5 years old at 50%, from first-fill bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, with the longest lyne arms and outdoor worm tubs. By Mika Tanimoto, owner of Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima, Japan.

Ardnahoe Distillery’s second release, “INFINITE LOCH” | A new depth on Islay

What is INFINITE LOCH?

A second release of about 5 years old at 50%, reflecting the depths of Loch Ardnahoe. It features smoke with a faint sea breeze, shaped by the lingering influence of first-fill casks.

— A bottle that captures the stillness of the lochside —

The calm of the loch’s surface, and the lingering smoke rising from the cask. “INFINITE LOCH” tastes like the two brought together.

What I feel through photos and materials is an architectural beauty stripped of anything unnecessary, and the cool air drifting by the loch. It stirs the imagination — with every sip, I walk the distillery’s stone paths in my mind.

“INFINITE LOCH” is a second release at 50%, born after five years from Ardnahoe Distillery, which began distilling in 2018. The flavours woven by first-fill bourbon casks and oloroso sherry casks are as vivid as the morning sun reflecting on the loch.

---

---

What is Ardnahoe? The dream of Hunter Laing

The place where Hunter Laing’s long-held dream — “to distil the aroma of Islay itself” — came true. They acquired the lochside land in 2015, and when the pot stills were first fired in October 2018, their unique lyne arms and outdoor wooden worm tubs drew the attention of enthusiasts around the world.

---

The distillery’s features and design philosophy

• A design that blends into the lochside: concrete and glass, free of excess decoration, in sync with the deep blue of Loch Ardnahoe.
• The longest lyne arms: vapour refluxes slowly, creating a dense flavour.
• Outdoor worm tubs: cooling with the sea breeze adds a faint marine nuance to the spirit.
• Soft loch water: optimised for peat, giving a clear body.

This design philosophy lets classic Islay character and a modern, honed taste live together.

---

The origin of “INFINITE LOCH”

A name combining “Infinite,” symbolising the depth of Loch Ardnahoe, and “Loch.” It intuitively conveys the distillery’s pursuit of unfathomable depth.

---

The maturation process and the secret of the casks

• Age: about 5 years
• Casks:
• First-fill bourbon casks
• First-fill oloroso sherry casks
• ABV: 50%

In the warehouses by the loch, rising daytime temperatures and the cold night air shake the casks, engraving complex aromas into the spirit.

---

Tasting notes: aroma and finish

• Nose: sea spray, Islay peat, dark chocolate
• Palate: menthol, fresh fruit, bonfire smoke
• Finish: a smoky, spicy aftertaste that lingers long
  

“Feel the depth woven by the loch and the cask in a single glass.”

---

Recommended for

1. People drawn to distilleries with a craft feel and design beauty
   
2. People who like stylish, structured whisky
   
3. People who want to check the evolution since the first release

---

FAQ

Q. How peated is it?

A. The first release was 40 ppm. The second release’s level isn’t disclosed, but the smoke is supple.

Q. What’s special about lochside warehouses?

A. Changes in humidity and temperature move the spirit and create rich aromas.

---

Bar Little Happiness