Distillery in Focus: Bunnahabhain
Region: Islay
Name: Bunnahabhain
Status: Active
Website: www.Bunnahabhain.com
Telephone: 01496 840646
E-Mail: n.a.
Address: Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7R Latitude 55.8828 North,6.1256 West.
Visitor centre: Yes
Owner: Burn Stewart Distillers
Established in 1881
Stills: 2 wash and 2 spirit still
Percentage of single malts: 5%
Casks used for maturation: Bourbon (90%) and sherry (10%)
Contribute(d) to the following blends: Black Bottle, Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, Scottish Leader, Sundowner.
Regular Bottling:
Bunnahabhain 12 YO, 46.3% (40% until Oct 2010)
Bunnahabhain 18 YO, 43%
Bunnahabhain 25 YO, 43%
Other bottlings:
Bunnahabhain 30 YO. Previous limited editions were released for the Feis Ile (Islay Whisky Fectival) as well as more widely, such as the Bunnahabhain 1968 Auld Acquaintance, Bunnahabhain 1971 125th Anniversary
For the tasted whiskies, click here
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| From right to left: Bunnahabhain 12 YO, 18 YO and 25 YO |
History of Bunnahabhain distillery
Wiliam Robertson (From Robertson & Baxter), John Marshall, James Ford and James Greenless founded the distillery in 1881. Since there was nothing on the site, contractors had to build a row of cottages for the workers, a schoolroom and a pier. After the initial investment of £30,000, the distillery ran its first spirit in October 1882 and full production started in January 1983. Islay Distillery Company Ltd made a profit of £10,000 on the following year. In 1887, the company merged with W Grant & Co to become the Highland Distillers. The distillery was expanded in 1963 with the number of stills increased from 2 to 4. The distillery was silent between 1932 and 1936 and in 1982-3. On 10 April 2003, the distillery was sold to Burn Stewart Distillers, part of CL World Brands for around £10 mio. Bunnahabhain was a robustly peaty and remained so until the early 1960s. Then, the whisky was unpeated and the first run of medium-heavily peated whisky took place in 1991 (28 ppm), followed by a second batch in 1997 (38 ppm).
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| The mash tun |
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| The Still house |
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| And inside the warehouse |
Source: Distillery visit, The Making of Scotch whisky by John R. Hume & Michael S. Moss, The Scotch whisky industry record by H. Charles Craig, The Scotch Whisky Distilleries by Misako Udo, John A. Thomson, Peat, Smoke and Spirit, Andrew Jefford and Scotch and Water, Neil Wilson.
Patrick Brossard © 09Feb2011.
Official/original bottlings (OB) Age Bunnahabhain Rubha A’Mhail Feis Ile 2015, 11 YO, OB, 57.4%, B:2015, 1200 b. Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain 12 YO, OB, 46.8%, B : 2012 Rating: 12/20 Bunnahabhain Moine PX Feis Ile 2016, 12 YO, OB, 54.6%, B:2016, 833 b. Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain 14 YO Port Wood Finish, OB, 53%, B: 2008, 1220 b. Rating: 13/20 Bunnahahbain 16 YO Feis Ile 2007, OB, B:1981, 54%, 190 b. Rating: 18/20 Bunnahabhain 18 YO PX for Feis Ile 2010, OB, 51.4%, B: 2010, 384 b. Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2020 Madeira Cask, 19 YO, OB, 53%, B :2020. Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain XVIII, 18 YO, OB, 43%. B:2006 Rating: 12/20 Bunnahabhain 25 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2008 Rating: 15/20 
Bunnahabhain 40 YO, OB, 41.5%, B: 2012 Rating: 17/20 Vintages Bunnahabhain 1968 Auld Acquaintance, OB, 43.8% Rating: 18/20 Bunnahabhain 2007 Oloroso Moine Feis Ile 2018, OB, 59.5%, B:2018. Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain Moine 2008 French Oak Finish Feis Ile 2019, 11 YO, OB, 57.4%, B:2019. Rating: 15/20 Bunnahabhain Moine 2008 French Oak Finish Feis Ile 2019, 11 YO, OB, 57.4%, B:2019. Rating: 16/20 No Age Specified (NAS) Bunnhahabhain Ceobanach, OB, 46.3%, B:2015. Rating: 07/20 Bunnhahabhain Toiteach, OB, 46%, B: 2015 Rating: 12/20 Bunnahabhain Toiteach, OB, 46%, B:2012 Rating: 12/20
Independent bottlings (IB) (and anonymous Bunna) Acla Selection Bunnahabhain 1973, 40YO, Acla Selection, 46.2%, B: 2013. Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain 1980, 33 YO, Acla Selection, 45.4%, B:2013 (Labelled in 2017), 52 bottles Rating: 17/20 Bunnahabhain Acla Edition 11 1987, 34 YO, Acla Selection, 53.4%, B:2021. Rating: 15/20 Adelphi Bunnahabhain 1977, 27 YO, Adelphi, 50.6%. c. 7850 Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain 1997, Adelphi, 59.6%, B: 2007, c.5262, 597 b. Rating: 13/20 Anam na h-Alba Kuddels Bunny 1987, 27 YO Anam na h-Alba, 50.3%, B; 2014, 24 b. Rating: 14/20 Archives Bunnahabhain 1990, 21 YO, Archives, 52.3%, B : 2012, c. 14, 62 b. Rating: 13/20 Blackadder Bunnahabhain 1991 For Taiwan, 25 YO, Blackadder, 50.5%, B:2017, c. 5436, Rating: 14/20 The Bottlers Bunnahabhain 1978, 30 YO, The Bottlers, 52.8%, B:2009, cask 7586. Rating: 17/20 Cadenhead's Bunnahabhain 1976, 39 YO, Cadenhead’s, 49.4%, B:2015 Rating: 15/20 Chieftains Bunnahabhain 2007, 9 YO, Chieftain's, 56.8%, B:2017, cask 3755, Peated Hogshead, 291 b. Rating: 10/20 Bunnahabhain 2006 for Wealth Gathering Pi_XIU, 11 YO, 60.2%, Chieftain's, B:2017, c. 3262, 642 b. Rating: 16/20 Douglas Laing Bunnahabhain 1979 OMC Sherry, 20 YO, D. Laing, 50% Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain 1978 XOP, 35 YO, D. Laing, 45.2%, B:2013, c. 10348 Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain 1990 XOP, 25 YO, D. Laing, 44.2%, B:2015, c. DL10984 Rating: 11/20 Duncan Taylor Bunnahabhain 1967 Sherry, 38 YO, D. Taylor, 40.8 %, c. 3328 Rating: 17/20 Bunnahabhain 1968, 38 YO, D.Taylor, B: 2006, 42.1%, c. 7010 Rating: 17/20 Bunnahabhain 1968, 38 YO, D. Taylor, 43.1%, B:2006, Ref 11571 Rating: 17/20 Elixir Distillers Bunnahabhain 44 YO, Elixir Distillers, 42.4%, B:2022 Rating: 16/20 First Editions, The Bunnahabhain 1997, 16 YO, The First Editions, 56.4%, B:2014. Rating: 16/20 Gordon & MacPhail Bunnahabhain 1991 Special Reserve, 15 YO, G&M, 55.8%, B: 2006, c. 15072, 300 b. Rating: 16/20 Jean Boyer Bunnahabhain 2001 Le Puit à Whisky, 10 YO, Jean Boyer, 43%. B: 2012 Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain Peated Le Puit a Whisky, 3 YO, Jean Boyer, 43%, B: 2010, Rating: 08/20 Lady of the Glen Bunnahahbhain 1987, Lady of the Glen, 50.01%, B:2014, 205 b. Rating: 16/20 La Maison du Whisky Bunnahabhain 1979 Artist, over 35 YO, LMDW, 47.9%, B:2018, sherry butt 9521 Rating: 12/20 Liquid Sun Bunnhahabhain 1973, Liquid Sun, 50%, B: 2010. Rating: 17/20 Maltbarn Bunnahabhain 1987, 33 YO, Maltbarn, 49.5%, B:2021, cask 175 Rating: 16/20 Martins Bunnahabhain 1977, 29 YO, Martin’s, 43%, B: 2007 Rating: 15/20 Master of Malts Bunnahabhain 1990, 20 YO, Master of Malts, 54.1%. B: 2011, 626 bottles Rating: 08/20 Monnier Bunnhahabhain 1968 Kreuzritter, Monnier 43.8%, B: 2011, c. 12404, 180 b. Rating: 16/20 Murray McDavid & Celtic Heartlands Bunnahabhain 1966, 40 YO, Celtic Heartlands, B: 2006, 40.1% Rating: 17/20 Bunnhahabhain 1976 Fino Sherry, 31 YO, MMD, 48.1%, B: 2008, 1134 b. Rating: 15/20 Perfect Dram, The Bunnahabhain 1976 for the Whisky Schiff Acla da Fans, The Perfect Dram, 48.8%, B: 2012 Rating: 16/20 Bunnhahabhain 1987 Fino, 26 YO, The Perfect Dram, 49.4%, B:2013, 255 b. Rating: 14/20 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bunnahabhain 10.5 1965, SMWS, 50%, B: 1987 Rating: 17/20 Scott's Selection Bunnahabhain 1984, Scott’s selection, 57.5%, B: 2003 Rating: 14/20 Signatory Bunnahabhain 1968 30th Anniversary, 50 YO, Signatory, 41.8%, B:2019, c. 12397. Rating: 17/20 Bunnahabhain 1973 For LMDW, over 35 YO, Signatory , 49.4%, B: 2011, c. 12153, 457 b. Rating: 15/20 Bunnahabhain 1978, 27 YO, Signatory, 54.9%, c. 2541, 493 b. Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain 1978 30th Anniversary, 40 YO, Signatory, 47.8%, B:2018, c. 2587 Rating: 17/20 Bunnahabhain 1979 Waldhaus Am See, 32 YO, Signatory, 51.4%, B: 2012, c. 9516, 603 b. Rating: 15/20 Bunnahabhain 1997, 10 YO, Signatory, 59.2%, B: 2008, c. 5362, 568 b. Rating: 15/20 Bunnahabhain 2006 for Waldhaus am See, 13 YO, Signatory, 59.1%, B:2019, c. 2129 Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain Moine 2007 Straight from the cask for LMDW,Signatory, 56.7%, B:2017. Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain 2008 For Ramseyer’s whisky connection, 12 YO, Signatory, 57.8%, B:2020, c. 1175 Rating: 16/20 Bunnahahbain 2008 for Whisky Bibliothek,16 YO, Signatory, 56,1%, B:2024, cask 1167 Rating: 17/20 Bunnahabhain 2011 Heavily Peated for World of Whisky, Signatory, 60.3%, B:2019, c. 704153 Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain Staiosha Heavily Peated 2014 for Hermann brothers, 4 YO, Signatory, 60.3%, B:2019, c.10717 Rating: 15/20 Bunnahabhain 2014 Heavily Peated for Whisky Bibilothek, 8 YO, Signatory, 59.2%, B:2021, c. 10593. Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain 2014 Heavily Peated Staoisha for Ramseyer’s whisky connection, Signatory, 57.9%, B:2021, Cask 10620. Rating: 14/20 Single Cask Collection Bunnahabhain 1991, 21 YO, Single Cask Collection, 49.1%, B:2012 Rating: 12/20 Single Malts of Scotland & Speciality drinks Bunnahabhain 1979, 27 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 49.5%, B: 2008. c. 11688. 222 b. Rating: 17/20 Bunnahahbhain 27 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 48.4%, B:2018. Rating: 14/20 Port Askaig 45 YO, Speciality Drinks, 40.8%, B:2014 Rating: 15/20 Bunnahabhain 2001, 16 YO, The Single Malts of Scotland, 53.4%, B:2018, c. 1254. Rating: 16/20 Vallinch & Mallet Bunnahabhain 1995,22 YO, Valinch & Mallet, 46.5%, B:2018, cask 18-2201 Rating: 17/20 Villa Konthor Bunnahabhain 1990, 22YO, Villa Konthor, 54%. B:2012 Rating: 16/20 Wemyss Malts Bunnahabhain Tropical Island Dram 1991, Wemyss Malts, 46.0%, B:2018, 257 b. Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain Choc’n Nut Pretzle 2001, Wemyss Malts, 46.0%. B:2018, 880 b. Rating: 16/20 The Whisky Agency Bunnahabhain 1965, 45 YO, TWA, 40%, B: 2010, 195 bottles Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain 1967, TWA, 40.5%, B: 2010, 139 b. Rating: 17/20 Bunnahabhain 1968 for Sweden, 42 YO, TWA, 43.8%, B:2010, 172 b. Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain 1987 Circus joint bottling with the Nectar, 28 YO, TWA, 55.0%, B:2015. Rating: 15/20 Bunnahabhain 2001, 8 YO, TWA, 54%, B: 2010 Rating: 14/20 Whisybroker Islay Malt 3 (Bunnhahbain) 1990, 21 YO, Whiskybroker, 54.5%, B: 2012, c. 3, 739 b. Rating: 14/20 Bunnhahbain 1991, 20 YO, Whiskybroker, 49.7%, B:2012, c. 5469, 286 b. Rating: 13/20 The Whisky Exchange Bunnahabhain 1989, The Whisky Exchange, 44.9%, B:2017 Rating: 16/20 The Whisky Fair Bunnahabhain 1977, 29 YO, TWF, B: 2007, 45.1%, 108 b. Rating: 10/20 Whisky Club Royal Bunnahabhain 1991, 16 YO, Whisky Club Royal, 48.6%, B: 2013. Rating: 12/20 Wilson & Morgan Bunnahabhain 1973, 38 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 41.2%, B: 2012 Rating: 16/20 Bunnahabhain 1989 PX finish, Wilson & Morgan, 45.7%, c. 5817/18. Rating: 14/20 Bunnahabhain Heavy Peat, 13 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 46%, B:2012 Rating: 11/20
