Ardnahoe Fèis Ìle 2025

Ardnahoe Fèis Ìle 2025

Region: Islay

ABV: 59.8%

Price: £85.00

Ardnahoe’s Fèis Ìle 2025 release is a 6-year-old single malt matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon barrels.

Nose

We’re finding the nose quite closed. There’s a touch of smoke, but it’s muted, more burning newspaper than bonfire. Behind that, custard creams, vanilla pods, seaweed, lemon sherbet, and a little raw ginger. The alcohol is present, though no more than you’d expect given the ABV. A bit of time in the glass reveals a little more smoke, but overall the nose is a little tame and one dimensional.

Palate

Surprisingly easy drinking for the ABV, though the mouthfeel is on the thinner side. Bitterness from dark chocolate dominates early, followed by some sweet chilli heat on the finish. In between, we’re find farmyard funk, citrus, honey, and chopped apples, but these all feel a bit muted. The peat and smoke are also a little subdued, and while a barley sugar note appears with patience, overall it’s a little one note. We’re also finding that chilli spice on the finish is a little off putting.

Nose (with water)

Water helps the nose a little. There’s now more smoke and peat appearing, along with some BBQ sauce, rice crackers, limoncello, and buttercream icing. It’s less tight, but still a little one dimensional overall. Honeycomb and burnt wood appear with a little more patience.

Palate (with water)

On the reduced palate the peat and smoke have faded. Although there’s now more ash on the finish. That Spice chilli spice has also increased. There’s now a sugar syrup note on the mid palate, but water hasn’t really added much. The mouthfeel also takes a hit, which is unexpected given how little water we added.

Conclusion

This feels like a bit of a misstep compared to previous Ardnahoe releases. The casks haven’t added much in terms of complexity or flavour to the spirit, and the result feels subdued for an Islay of this age and ABV. The peat and sweetness you’d typically expect from a young Islay are both dialled way back.

We’re a little surprised, especially considering this year’s Fèis Ìle release was drawn exclusively from first-fill casks. We were expecting a step up from last year’s younger release, which also included refill wood. Personally, we’d happily have a dram, but we don’t feel the need to own a bottle.

Score: 6/10

Value

At £85, it sits at the lower end for festival exclusives, which helps soften the blow a little, but even then, it doesn’t quite deliver on quality.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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