In 2013, Hunter Laing & Company Ltd was established following the demerger of the historic family firm Douglas Laing & Co., which was originally founded in 1948 by Frederick Douglas Laing (FDL). Hunter Laing is led by Frederick's son, Stewart Hunter Laing, and his grandsons Scott and Andrew. Stewart has worked in the Scottish whisky industry for nearly 50 years—first as a blender, and later as a bottler of premium single cask whiskies. He began his apprenticeship at Bruichladdich on Islay before joining his father's family business. In addition to blending and cask selection, Stewart's primary role was representing the brand globally. At the time, the company's main product was blended whisky, with Douglas Laing enjoying strong sales in Asian and North American markets. Today, Hunter Laing's core product is single malt whisky. In January 2016, the company acquired a prime plot of land on Islay's northeast coast, situated between Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain distilleries, to build an £8 million distillery. Approval was granted in September of the same year, and construction commenced shortly thereafter. Ardnahoe began production in January 2019, becoming the ninth operational distillery on Islay. In February 2017, whisky legend Jim McEwan was appointed as Production Director. He collaborated with Stewart and distillery architect Ian Hellen to design a facility that would produce a heavyweight, old-style spirit. Jim McEwan served as Master Distiller at Bruichladdich for 15 years until his retirement. Prior to that, he spent 37 years at Bowmore Distillery, starting as an apprentice in 1963, eventually becoming General Manager and then Global Brand Ambassador. His reputation in the whisky world is so renowned that his appointment was truly a 'game-changer' for Ardnahoe.

Besides the usual café, tasting room, and shop, Ardnahoe's visitor center will also feature an illuminated exterior water wall. In 2013, Jim McEwan wrote on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in the whisky industry: "I will continue to chase dreams, pursue the rainbow of single malt whisky, and seek that one perfect dram." Perhaps Ardnahoe can help him realize this dream.