The Brand Behind the ‘Smokiest, Peatiest Islay Malt’ Intends to Open a Hotel With a Whisky Cave — And We’re Here for It
Ardbeg intends to open a hotel on Islay. (David Cheskin/PA via AP)
The Scottish Sun reported on Wednesday that Ardbeg is planning to spend millions of dollars building a scotch whisky hotel on Islay in Scotland. In 2022, the brand purchased the site: a property that had been abandoned for 20 years. Ardbeg intends to open the hotel to the public in May 2025.
Featuring a private dining room, upgraded bar facilities, a restaurant and a “whisky cave,” it sounds as if the new hotel is quite an ambitious endeavor.
The Scottish Sun reports that designers at Russell Sage Studio are spearheading the project.
“We are dedicated to making our island a great place to live and visit,” Ardbeg and Glenmorangie Chief Executive Casper MacRae said, according to the Scottish Sun. “While our hotel will, of course, be a spiritual home for the most ardent Ardbeggians, we promise even those getting to know the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt will leave lifelong fans.”
In November, Ardbeg placed third on Drinks International’s list of the World’s Most Admired Whisky brands. It was beat out by Yamazaki, which placed second, and Michter’s, which took home the coveted title.
In the same month, the brand released an exceptionally rare two-bottle release called The Roller Coaster. The release captured two important moments from the distillery’s past. The first expression was distilled in 1981, when the distillery closed, while the other whisky was made in 1989, when the brand was brought back to life.
With this latest news, it appears more exciting news is on the horizon for the Islay scotch whisky brand, and it is following suit of other scotch brands that have focused on whisky tourism, like Chivas Brothers with the November opening of the brand’s Linn House.
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