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About Bunnahabhain Distillery
Most popular bottles from the 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?”
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.
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Fruity |
Oaky / Woody | Briny / Maritime |
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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:
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Sea breeze and salted caramel
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Raisins, fig cake, and spiced oak
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Toasted nuts, orange peel, and a hint of vanilla
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Long, warming finishes with subtle spice
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Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Dried Fruits (Raisins, Figs, Dates) |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
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Brine / Sea Salt |
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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.
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The Distillery
Bunnahabhain Distillery
Bunnahabhain Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RP, Scotland
 Open in maps |
 bunnahabhain.com |
 01496 840646 |
Visitor Information
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Address: Bunnahabhain Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RP, Scotland
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Telephone: Usually available for enquiries and bookings
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Visitor Centre:
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Yes – small but friendly
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Guided tours and tastings
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Great view of the sea (and Jura across the water)
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Often offers distillery exclusives and rare cask samples
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Ownership and Background
Current Owner:
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Distell International (part of Heineken as of 2023 via acquisition)
Historical Highlights:
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1881: Founded by the Islay Distillery Company
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1960s–1980s: Popular for blending – much of the malt went into big-name blends
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1982: Temporarily closed
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2003: Revived by Burn Stewart (later Distell) with focus on single malts
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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
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Founded: Established in 1881 by William Robertson and the Greenlees brothers.
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First Production: Began in 1883.
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Name Meaning: Derived from Gaelic, meaning "mouth of the river."
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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
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Current Owner: Owned by Distell Group, a South African drinks company.
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Previous Owners: Has passed through multiple owners including Highland Distillers and Burn Stewart.
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Production Capacity: Around 3.3 million litres of alcohol per year, making it one of the larger Islay distilleries.
Production Details
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Stills: Two large wash stills and two spirit stills with tall necks for a lighter spirit.
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Water Source: Draws its water from the Margadale Spring.
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Fermentation: Utilizes long fermentation times, often exceeding 60 hours.
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Warehousing: Matured in traditional dunnage warehouses at sea level, providing a maritime influence.
Whisky Style and Characteristics
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Peat Level: Known for producing unpeated or very lightly peated whiskies, which is unusual for Islay.
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Maturation: Heavy use of Oloroso sherry casks, often first-fill, adding rich, fruity, and nutty flavors.
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Flavor Profile: Typically creamy, malty, nutty, and maritime with hints of salt, spice, and dried fruit.
Core Range and Releases
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Standard Range: Includes 12, 18, 25, 30, and 40-year-old age-stated expressions.
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Other Releases: Includes Stiuireadair (sherry-focused) and Toiteach A Dhà (lightly peated).
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Single Cask and Limited Editions: Offers exclusive bottlings through its Warehouse 9 and Coterie club selections.
Distillery and Community
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Community Ties: Many employees are from families who have worked at the distillery for generations.
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Visitor Experience: Offers tours, tastings, and cask sampling, with a renovated visitor centre reopened in 2021.
Sustainability and Development
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Modernization: Recent investments have improved energy efficiency and enhanced the distillery's appearance.
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Traditional Practices: Maintains classic distillation techniques while slowly modernizing infrastructure.
