About Bunnahabhain Distillery

A brief History

Bunnahabhain, Scotland. Founded in 1881

The Gentle Side of Islay

Perched on the northeastern coast of Islay, looking out over the Sound of Islay, Bunnahabhain (pronounced Boona-hav-en) doesn’t scream for attention — and that’s exactly why it’s so beloved. Where most Islay distilleries lean hard into peat smoke, Bunnahabhain keeps it soft, elegant, and often completely unpeated. Yep, you read that right — an Islay whisky with barely any smoke? It’s a thing, and it’s brilliant.

Founded in 1881, Bunnahabhain has seen its fair share of ups and downs — mothballed, revived, reimagined. But in recent years, it’s earned a cult following for its complex, sherried single malts and slow, deliberate style. It’s one of those distilleries that makes you pause and go, “Wait… why isn’t everyone talking about this?”

Browse all Bunnahabhain Whisky

Flavour Profile: Coastal Elegance with a Sherried Soul

Expect sea spray, roasted nuts, dried fruit, and gentle spice — not a peat blast to the face. Though they do produce some peated releases (like Toiteach a Dhà), most of Bunnahabhain’s core range is unpeated or just lightly kissed by smoke.


Fruity	Oaky / Woody	Briny / Maritime

Bunnahabhain is renowned for its smooth, full-bodied single malts often matured in sherry casks, giving them depth, sweetness, and coastal charm. Key flavour characteristics include:
- Sea breeze and salted caramel
- Raisins, fig cake, and spiced oak
- Toasted nuts, orange peel, and a hint of vanilla
- Long, warming finishes with subtle spice

Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients

	Dried Fruits (Raisins, Figs, Dates)
	Oak / Wood Spice
	Brine / Sea Salt
	Vanilla

Popular Bottlings from Bunnahabhain

Expression	Type	Tasting Notes
12 Year Old	Unpeated, sherry casks	Rich fruitcake, salted toffee, nuttiness, and soft spice
18 Year Old	Unpeated, sherry casks	Deep oak, raisins, dark chocolate, and maritime edge
Toiteach a Dhà	Lightly peated	Soft smoke, sea salt, pepper, and sherried sweetness
Stiùireadair	Unpeated, sherry-rich	Creamy, nutty, coastal and easy-drinking
Moine	Heavily peated	Bonfire smoke, damp earth, and a salty kick
Cask Strength Editions	Limited, natural strength	Intensely sherried, chewy, bold — for the flavour chasers

Whether you want gentle and elegant or dark and smoky, Bunnahabhain has a dram that fits.

Bunnahabhain Ceobanach Islay Whisky Intensely Peated Batch No.1

- £189.99

The Distillery

Bunnahabhain Distillery 
Bunnahabhain Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RP, Scotland

Open in maps

bunnahabhain.com

01496 840646

Visitor Information

Address: Bunnahabhain Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RP, Scotland
Telephone: Usually available for enquiries and bookings
Visitor Centre:
- Yes – small but friendly
- Guided tours and tastings
- Great view of the sea (and Jura across the water)
- Often offers distillery exclusives and rare cask samples

Ownership and Background

Current Owner:

Distell International (part of Heineken as of 2023 via acquisition)

Historical Highlights:

1881: Founded by the Islay Distillery Company
1960s–1980s: Popular for blending – much of the malt went into big-name blends
1982: Temporarily closed
2003: Revived by Burn Stewart (later Distell) with focus on single malts
Now: Respected as one of Islay’s more complex and approachable distilleries

They’ve slowly become a favourite for whisky fans who like flavour without the fireworks.

Distillery Facts

History and Location

Founded: Established in 1881 by William Robertson and the Greenlees brothers.
First Production: Began in 1883.
Name Meaning: Derived from Gaelic, meaning "mouth of the river."
Setting: Located on the northeast coast of Islay, overlooking the Sound of Islay. Originally accessible only by sea, now reached by single-track road.

Ownership and Capacity

Current Owner: Owned by Distell Group, a South African drinks company.
Previous Owners: Has passed through multiple owners including Highland Distillers and Burn Stewart.
Production Capacity: Around 3.3 million litres of alcohol per year, making it one of the larger Islay distilleries.

Production Details

Stills: Two large wash stills and two spirit stills with tall necks for a lighter spirit.
Water Source: Draws its water from the Margadale Spring.
Fermentation: Utilizes long fermentation times, often exceeding 60 hours.
Warehousing: Matured in traditional dunnage warehouses at sea level, providing a maritime influence.

Whisky Style and Characteristics

Peat Level: Known for producing unpeated or very lightly peated whiskies, which is unusual for Islay.
Maturation: Heavy use of Oloroso sherry casks, often first-fill, adding rich, fruity, and nutty flavors.
Flavor Profile: Typically creamy, malty, nutty, and maritime with hints of salt, spice, and dried fruit.

Core Range and Releases

Standard Range: Includes 12, 18, 25, 30, and 40-year-old age-stated expressions.
Other Releases: Includes Stiuireadair (sherry-focused) and Toiteach A Dhà (lightly peated).
Single Cask and Limited Editions: Offers exclusive bottlings through its Warehouse 9 and Coterie club selections.

Distillery and Community

Community Ties: Many employees are from families who have worked at the distillery for generations.
Visitor Experience: Offers tours, tastings, and cask sampling, with a renovated visitor centre reopened in 2021.

Sustainability and Development

Modernization: Recent investments have improved energy efficiency and enhanced the distillery's appearance.
Traditional Practices: Maintains classic distillation techniques while slowly modernizing infrastructure.