Whisky-news.com by Patrick: Bunnahabhain distillery

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

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).

The mash tun

The Still house

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 © 09Feb112011.

Tasted whiskies (51):

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 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 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

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. ating: 14/20

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

Archives

Bunnahabhain 1990, 21 YO, Archives, 52.3%, B : 2012, c. 14, 62 b. Rating: 13/20

The Bottlers

Bunnahabhain 1978, 30 YO, The Bottlers, 52.8%, B:2009, cask 7586. Rating: 17/20

Douglas Laing

Bunnahabhain 1979 OMC Sherry, 20 YO, D. Laing, 50% Rating: 16/20

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

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

Liquid Sun

Bunnhahabhain 1973, Liquid Sun, 50%, B: 2010. Rating: 17/20

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

Scott's Selection

Bunnahabhain 1984, Scott’s selection, 57.5%, B: 2003 Rating: 14/20

Signatory

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 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

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

Port Askaig 45 YO, Speciality Drinks, 40.8%, B:2014 Rating: 15/20

Villa Konthor

Bunnahabhain 1990, 22YO, Villa Konthor, 54%. B:2012 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 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 Fair

Bunnahabhain 1977, 29 YO, TWF, B: 2007, 45.1%, 108 b. Rating: 10/20

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

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 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 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

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.	ating: 14/20

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

Archives
Bunnahabhain 1990, 21 YO, Archives, 52.3%, B : 2012, c. 14, 62 b.	Rating: 13/20

The Bottlers
Bunnahabhain 1978, 30 YO, The Bottlers, 52.8%, B:2009, cask 7586.	Rating: 17/20

Douglas Laing
Bunnahabhain 1979 OMC Sherry, 20 YO, D. Laing, 50%	Rating: 16/20

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

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

Liquid Sun
Bunnhahabhain 1973, Liquid Sun, 50%, B: 2010.	Rating: 17/20

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

Scott's Selection
Bunnahabhain 1984, Scott’s selection, 57.5%, B: 2003	Rating: 14/20

Signatory
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 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

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
Port Askaig 45 YO, Speciality Drinks, 40.8%, B:2014	Rating: 15/20

Villa Konthor
Bunnahabhain 1990, 22YO, Villa Konthor, 54%. B:2012	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 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 Fair
Bunnahabhain 1977, 29 YO, TWF, B: 2007, 45.1%, 108 b.	Rating: 10/20

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