Bunnahabhain

DISCOVER THE SOUND OF ISLAY

Bunnahabhain Distillery is renowned for its predominantly unpeated Single Malt whiskies which capture the wind swept, salty sea air of Islay. Bunnahabhain means ‘mouth of the river’ in Gaelic, and the distillery stands proud at the mouth of the Margadale Spring on the shores of the Sound of Islay. To make the pilgrimage to Bunnahabhain is to walk into a story of a seafaring adventure, aboard a ship sailing ever forward in its search for perfection, while remaining firmly anchored in craft, tradition, heritage and a passion for adventure.

First built in 1883 after William Robertson of Robertson and Baxter Blending House, joined with the Greenlees Brothers to create the Islay Distillery Company, Bunnahabhain Distillery represents the daring spirit and coastal living that plays an important part in the production of its range of Single Malts.

Steeped in stories, heritage and provenance, Bunnahabhain Distillery has seen many changes to the Sound of Islay. From humble beginnings when supplies arrived by puffer boat, to a road built in 1963 which heralded a new era for the distillery. The improved access to supplies coincided with an increased demand for Bunnahabhain whiskies. Production was expanded which led to the classic 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky released in 1979. This special Single Malt was met with worldwide acclaim. The original member of the distillery’s Core Range, it is still today one of Bunnahabhain’s most popular Single Malts and representative of its signature style. Bunnahabhain whisky is unique to Islay because of its predominantly non-peated style and the rich, complex layers of each cask matured on the shores of the Sound of Islay. Whilst it is known for being the Non-peated Islay malt, this was not always the case, and Distillery Manager, Andrew Brown, loves to pay homage to his 19th century predecessors, who would have used peated barley like many of the other whisky distilleries on the island.

All Bunnahabhain whiskies are nonchillfiltered and natural colour. With nothing added or taken away, they reflect the true character of Islay. It is the only distillery on the island using pure, spring water drawn from the Margadale River, piped directly into the distillery, uninfluenced by peat and imparting a sweet and soft character contributing to the signature style of Bunnahabhain. The distillery also boasts the tallest stills on the island with unusually long swan necks that also contribute to the delicate style of the whisky.

Typically single malts from Islay are heavily peated and smoke-filled but Bunnahabhain lets the sea and the island speak naturally. The clear spring water and the sea facing warehouses impart the flavours of the island on the maturing spirit. The classic 12 Year Old Single Malt beautifully reflects the Bunnahabhain style with an alluring balance of sweet fruit, nuts, vanilla and a delicate coastal influence, it sets the tone and the benchmark for the rest of the range. Double matured in Bourbon and Sherry Casks, it is a beautifully rich and full-bodied whisky, achieving the perfect balance of the characteristic nutty and sherry flavours of Bunnahabhain.

The latest release for Bunnahabhain is Stiùireadair, pronounced ‘stew-rah-dur’ meaning ‘helmsman’ in Scots Gaelic. It is the latest member of the Bunnahabhain crew and delivers on the ocean influence of Bunnahabhain bay. This sherried malt whisky with its brackish, coastal tinge and a smattering of sea spray and dried fruit will transport you to salty shores of Islay.