Bunnahabhain

Bunnahabhain (pronounced “boo-na-ha-ven”) is the gentle giant of Islay — a distillery that sits at the northern tip of the island and produces whisky that is markedly different from its peaty, smoky neighbours. While Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Bowmore lean heavily into the medicinal and coastal peat smoke that Islay is famous for, Bunnahabhain takes a different path: its standard expressions are largely unpeated, allowing the character of the spirit itself and the cask to take centre stage.

The 12 Year Old — the distillery’s flagship — is matured in a combination of sherry and bourbon casks, giving it a rich, rounded profile. The nose offers dried fruit, malt, a hint of sea salt, and a gentle nuttiness. On the palate it’s warming and generous: toffee, raisin, dark chocolate, and a maritime saltiness that nods to its coastal location without overwhelming the fruit and malt. The finish is long and satisfying with lingering sweetness and a light briny note.

Bunnahabhain is a wonderful whisky for those who love Islay but want to explore beyond the heavily peated expressions. It’s also a brilliant gateway for Scotch drinkers who find the smokier Islay malts too intense. Serve neat or with the smallest drop of water. This is a distillery that rewards exploration — their older expressions and peated releases (under the “Mòine” label) are equally excellent. A criminally underrated gem of Scottish whisky.