ARDNAHOE - A CHAT WITH DISTILLERY MANAGER DAVID LIVINGSTONE

This week we welcome Ardnahoe distillery manager David Livingston to discuss the Islay distillery’s location, origins, and whisky style. Livingston explains Hunter Laing’s long-held ambition to create their own distillery, Ardnahoe’s opening in 2018, and his own third-generation Islay whisky background. He reflects on how Islay has changed with tourism and the rise of single malts, and why whisky is vital to the island’s economy as farming and fishing decline. The conversation covers Fèis Ìle’s growth and 40th anniversary, Ardnahoe’s early production moments, and the distillery’s approach to making spirit—slow mashing, fermentations over 70 hours, slow distillation, and worm tubs aimed at a sweet, heavy-bodied, fruity spirit with peat on the finish. We also discuss Ardnahoe’s core range (including Infinite Loch), cask strength releases, future aging ambitions, the visitor experience and staff, and how Ardnahoe benefits from Hunter Laing’s independent bottling heritage and bar selection, including the Kinship range.00:00 Welcome to Islay: Introducing Ardnahoe & Distillery Manager David Livingston00:49 That View (and the Coffee): Why Ardnahoe’s Location Is So Special01:35 How Ardnahoe Happened: Hunter Laing’s Dream Becomes a Distillery (2018–Now)03:26 Born & Bred Islay: David’s Whisky Upbringing and Peat-Bog Memories04:43 Islay Then vs Now: Tourism, Single Malts, and the Island Economy07:25 Fèis Ìle at 40: Music, Whisky, Culture—and 2026 Plans10:40 From Banter to Build: David’s Role, Arran Detour, and the First Spirit Run14:35 Making the Spirit: Slow Mashing, Long Ferments, Worm Tubs & Flavor Goals16:19 Tasting Notes & Core Range: Infinite Loch, Cask Strength, and Smoke Level (40 PPM)20:58 Production Split & Switching Styles: Peated vs Unpeated Campaigns23:23 Looking Ahead: Quality Over Quantity, Visitor-Centre Vibes, and Independent Bottlings27:40 Wrap-Up & Invitations: Ferry Logistics, Twin Rooms, and Final ThanksHosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way.🥃 New episodes every week(ish)🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com📩 Enquiries & partnerships: [email protected]📲 Follow us on InstagramSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.