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Ardbeg House
hotel opens just a short walk from the
distillery blending world-class Scottish
hospitality with the flavours, stories
and eccentric spirit of Ardbeg’s island
world. At the heart of the Ardbeg House
experience are three exclusive whiskies
available only on Islay they are Ardbeg
House Reserve, Ardbeg Homecoming and
Ardbeg Badger Juice.
One of the world’s smokiest, peatiest
Islay malt whisky has opened the doors
of Ardbeg House, a boutique hotel
designed for visitors and locals to eat,
sleep and drink Ardbeg like never
before. Just a short walk from the
Distillery, this bold new destination
blends world-class Scottish hospitality
with the flavours, stories and eccentric
spirit of Ardbeg’s island world.
Since its dramatic revival in 1997,
Ardbeg has risen from near-extinction to
cult status, inspiring thousands of
whisky lovers to make the pilgrimage to
Islay each year. Now, with the opening
of Ardbeg House, guests can immerse
themselves fully in the distillery’s
smoky universe — from dawn drams to
late-night rituals.
Perched on the shore in Port Ellen, the
former Islay Hotel has been reimagined
in collaboration with design
storytellers Russell Sage Studio. Every
detail pays homage to the island and
Ardbeg itself, with more than 20
Scottish and Islay artisans contributing
bespoke pieces. Playful touches include
copper wall art made from a retired
still, a chandelier fashioned from a
fishing boat, and "Press for Smoke"
buttons that conjure hidden drams. The
12 striking suites and bedrooms merge
local storytelling with Ardbeg’s
signature irreverence, each themed
around a different chapter of Islay’s
myths, legends and history.
Guests can savour Islay at every turn:
- In the
Signature Restaurant, Scottish
produce is transformed with an
Ardbeggian twist. Dishes include
hand-dived scallops collected by one
of the distillery’s own stillmen and
inventive recipes infused with smoky
character. At the heart of the room,
a fire table serves as a nightly
gathering point, while Shortie’s
Table – a communal dining experience
every Friday – brings guests
together over a set whisky-paired
menu.
- The revived
Islay Bar, once a much-loved
watering hole, now serves exclusive
drams alongside local beers and
inventive cocktails. Outdoors, The
Untamed Courtyard offers wood-fired
dining, with a handcrafted smoker
and grill built by Ardbeg’s own
distillery technician, Daniel
Branson.
At the heart of
the Ardbeg House experience are three
exclusive whiskies available only on
Islay:
- Ardbeg House
Reserve – a highly limited
21-year-old single malt, exclusive
to Ardbeg House. Matured in bourbon
and Oloroso sherry casks, this
cask-strength release is said to
unite sea spray, smoke and sweet
figs in just 800 numbered bottles
(ABV 52.9%, RRP £400). With aromas
of raisins, hickory-smoked ham and
treacle toffee, a thick, oily palate
of peat smoke, figs in syrup and nut
toffee, and a lingering briny
finish, it is the ultimate keepsake
of a stay on Islay.
- Ardbeg
Homecoming – a permanent small-batch
release available only at Ardbeg
House and the Distillery. Aged first
in bourbon and then in first-fill
rum casks, this cask-strength whisky
(ABV 47.7%, RRP £120) brings a
tropical twist to Ardbeg’s classic
peat. Ardbeg say to expect aromas of
smoky fudge, banana and pineapple, a
smooth palate of smoky toffee, sea
spray and cocoa, and an intense,
lingering smoky finish.
- Ardbeg
Badger Juice – available only by the
dram in the Islay Bar. Created by
Master Blender Gillian Macdonald,
each batch of this secret-recipe
small-batch whisky is unrepeatable.
At 18:15 every evening – a nod to
Ardbeg’s founding year – guests
gather for the Badger Juice ritual,
raising a glass (£5 per dram) to
mark the close of the day with a
whisky found nowhere else. Batch 1
is said to reveal aromas of olive
oil, gingerbread and soot, with a
palate of lime sherbet, spearmint,
sugar-coated almonds and beautifully
integrated smoke.
Beyond whisky,
guests of Ardbeg House can enjoy
immersive experiences, from daily
Distillery tours reserved exclusively
for residents, to guided explorations of
Islay’s landscapes, beaches and
wildlife. And with whisky hour at 18:15
every evening, no two stays will ever be
quite the same.
Ardbeg House is now open, offering a
warm Islay welcome to whisky fans and
curious travellers alike. Bookings for
rooms and the restaurant are available
from autumn 2025 onwards at
www.ardbeg.com/visitus/ardbeghouse.html
You will also find the current
Ardbeg whisky range available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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