BUNNAHABHAIN - 12 years - Un-chillfiltered - 46.3%
The Bunnahabhain Distillery is built near the Margadale River in the northeast of the island of Islay. It is the only distillery on the island to use natural spring water. Unlike most Islay whiskeys, Bunnahabhain whiskeys are not heavily peated or smoky.
The distillery dates back to 1881 when William Robertson co-founded the distillery with William and James Greenlees. In 1883, whiskey production at the distillery was in full swing, and in 1963 the growing popularity of Scotch whiskeys led to the doubling of stills. The early 1980s saw a downturn in the whiskey market and the distillery was shut down in 1982, but production quickly resumed two years later. In the years that followed, Bunnahabhain passed through several different owners before being acquired by the Distell Group in 2013.
The process of making Bunnahabhain whiskey begins with malted, lightly peated barley which is combined with heated 'Margadale' spring water in the vat to produce the wort. The must fermentation then takes place in Oregon pine vats. None of the single malt Scotch whiskeys produced by Bunnahabhain are chill filtered.
This whiskey lets its fruity, spicy richness express itself perfectly and has a beautiful natural color with its aging in bourbon and sherry casks.