Young Islay distillery Ardnahoe create a multi-faceted, versatile spirit, with different cask types seeming to highlight different sides of its character. Bourbon cask bottlings show off a rare elegance and precision; sherry casks bring a nutty depth of flavour to its coastal smoke.

The Whisky Shop’s new exclusive single cask expression leans firmly towards the latter but retains a good deal of poise. Matured in an ex-oloroso sherry quarter cask, there’s no shortage of peat or richness – yet both are twinned with a layered, fruity refinement that makes it a very rewarding dram to savour. While it drinks quite well at cask strength, water helps unlock many of those complex layers.

One of just 170 bottles bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop, presented at 60.2% abv, free from artificial colour or chill filtration.

Fresh on the nose at full strength, with waxy orange skins, crisp sea air and muted smoke. Water brings out sweeter citrus notes and more pronounced peat reek, still with a bright, coastal edge. There’s an oily, mouth-filling richness to the palate, with chewy crystallised orange peel and juicy sultanas joining nutmeg-spiked, brûléed custard tarts and a burly, earthy sprawl of peat. Rich, tangy citrus and resiny oak spice linger on the gently drying finish.