Ardbeg Distillery Unveils Boutique Hotel on Islay for Immersive Whisky Experience
Whisky lovers now have the chance to stay at the very birthplace of their cherished spirit! Ardbeg Distillery has officially opened a luxurious 12-room boutique hotel in Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland. This new hotel, named Ardbeg House, is a transformation of the former Islay Hotel and aims to provide visitors with a unique experience, immersing them in the world of Scotland's renowned single malt Scotch whisky. The hotel opened its doors on September 8, 2025, marking a significant expansion for Islay's whisky tourism.
Ardbeg House's design artfully blends Islay's local culture with Ardbeg's distilling heritage. The interior design, by Russell Sage Studio, collaborated with over 20 Scottish and Islay artisans to infuse the hotel with numerous distinctive elements. These include wall art crafted from decommissioned Ardbeg still copper, custom-made boat-shaped chandeliers, and a 'Press for Smoke' button that reveals a hidden whisky surprise. Each suite and room is themed around Islay's history, smuggler legends, island folklore, and mythical coastal creatures, allowing guests to deeply connect with the island's charm.
The hotel's Signature Restaurant and the refurbished Islay Bar offer local Scottish cuisine with an 'Ardbeggian twist,' emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients, such as scallops hand-dived by the distillers themselves. The Untamed Courtyard features a specially built smoker and grill by Master Distiller Daniel Branson.
For whisky aficionados, the hotel provides exclusive, limited-edition whiskies, including Ardbeg Homecoming and Ardbeg House Reserve. Daily at 6:15 PM, guests are invited to the Islay Bar to sample the exclusive small-batch whisky, Ardbeg Badger Juice, known for its secret recipe and available by the glass only on-site.
Ardbeg President and CEO Caspar MacRae stated, Ardbeg has been at home on Islay for over 200 years, and we are incredibly excited to share this world-class whisky and hospitality experience in the heart of Port Ellen, just a stone's throw from the distillery. At Ardbeg House, we will guide island visitors and the local community through local stories, Ardbeg's traditional rituals, and exclusive drams. He added, Ardbeg House is a truly unique travel destination that will further enhance Islay's reputation as one of the world's best whisky tourism locations. Regardless of whether guests initially favor peated malt whiskies, we guarantee they will leave as lifelong fans of Ardbeg and Islay. We look forward to welcoming visitors and locals alike to enjoy the complete Ardbeg food, stay, and drink experience here.
The hotel offers guests a daily limited distillery tour. Room bookings and restaurant reservations for Autumn 2025 and beyond can be made through the official Ardbeg website. Ardbeg Distillery, rescued from the brink of closure in 1997, has since garnered passionate devotion from countless whisky enthusiasts. Founded in 1815, the distillery produces single malt whiskies considered by many to be the peatiest and smokiest on Islay.
2025-09-12
Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/ardbeg-opens-new-boutique-hotel-on-islay/