Bunnahabhain Distillery

Compared with many distilleries, which can change hands rapidly based on the fortunes of their owners and the market, Bunnahabhain has had a steady history. Built at Port Askaig on the isle of Islay in 1881 it has changed hands only four times since opening.

The distillery was founded by the trio of William Robertson and the Greenless brothers James and William as Islay Distillers Company Ltd. Robertson built not only the distillery itself on the north east coast of the island, but a pier serving it. This made it possible for supplies to arrive and whisky to depart from this isolated location. Water for the distillery is pumped from the Margadale Spring before it has a chance to run through the island’s peat beds. This is one of the reasons why Bunnahabhain whiskies are less peaty than many Islay counterparts. In 1887 Islay Distillers Company merged with William Grant & Co. The newly formed Highland Distillers would own Bunnahabhain for over a century. During this time it produced malt whisky for use in blended scotch.

In 1963 the number of stills was increased from two to four and the floor maltings were discontinued. Edrington bought Highland Distillers in 1999, and then sold it to Burn Stewart Distillers in 2003. They would merge with current owners Distell International in 2014.

Bunnahabhain operates a 12.5 mash tun, six Oregon Pine washbacks and four pot stills. The two wash stills have an onion shape and an unusual flat-topped design, while the spirit stills are more pear shaped. The distillery has a production capacity of 3.2 million litres a year. Bunnahabhain produces both peated an unpeated whiskies. The current split is roughly 60/40 unpeated to peated, but that is shifting.

The core range consists of the 12, 18, 25, and 40 year old single malts. The 12 year old was the firstedition in this range, launched in 1979 and enduring for 40 years. Matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, the nose is fresh with light smoke and fruity notes. On the palate the smoke is joined by flavours of nuts, fruit, and vanilla. This is followed by a long, full-bodied finish. The core range is rounded out by the Toiteach a Dhá, which has a strong influence from its Oloroso Sherry finish. The Stiùireadair adds a bite of sea salt to the sherry influence common to Bunnahabhain whiskies.

Bunnahabhain has also released a wide range of Special Editions which come in different wood expressions. These include the 2018 Fèis Ìle peated bottling with an Oloroso Sherry finish, the 2008 Mòine matured in Bordeaux red wine casks, and the 1997 Vintage Palo Cortado Sherry expression. More bottlings have been released with finishes in port, brandy, sauternes, and marsala.