Visiting Bunnahabhain
Travel Distilled describes visiting Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay, with a history of Bunnahabhain, what tours are available and how to book them.
Nestled on the rugged northeastern coast of Islay, the Bunnahabhain distillery (pronounced ‘Boon-na-hav-enn’) stands as a beacon of unpeated excellence in a land renowned for its smoky whiskies. Far from the more heavily peated malts of its island neighbours like Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain distinguishes itself with a typically lighter, fruitier, and often sherry-influenced character, offering a unique and highly cherished expression of Islay’s whisky heritage.
Its remote location, accessible by a winding single-track road that hugs the coastline, only adds to its mystique, making a visit to Bunnahabhain an unforgettable journey into the heart of Islay’s wild beauty and exceptional whisky craftsmanship.
Water Source for the Bunnahabhain Distillery
The History of Bunnahabhain
The story of Bunnahabhain began in 1881, when the Islay Distillery Company, formed by a group of entrepreneurial minds including William Robertson and the Greenlees brothers, decided to establish a distillery in this secluded corner of Islay. At a time when other Islay distilleries like Bowmore, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig were already well-established, Bunnahabhain was conceived to create a distinctive spirit that would stand apart. Production commenced in 1883, and the distillery quickly became a vital part of the island’s burgeoning whisky industry.
Initially, much of Bunnahabhain’s output was destined for blending, contributing to renowned brands such as The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. This focus on blended Scotch dominated its early years, with single malt expressions receiving less attention. The distillery’s isolated position meant that, for a long time, its primary connection to the outside world was by sea, with ships delivering supplies and collecting finished whisky. This maritime reliance fostered a strong sense of community around the distillery, with a village even being built to house the workers.
Challenging Times for Bunnahabhain
Like many distilleries across Scotland, Bunnahabhain faced challenging times in the 20th century, enduring brief periods of closure in the 1930s and again in the 1980s due to fluctuating demand. However, it consistently found its way back, demonstrating its resilience and the enduring appeal of its spirit.
A significant turning point arrived in the 1960s with the construction of a proper road connecting Bunnahabhain to Port Askaig, revolutionising its accessibility, reducing transportation costs and paving the way for increased production to meet growing demand.
In 2003, Burn Stewart Distillers acquired Bunnahabhain from Edrington Group, marking a pivotal moment that ushered in a renewed emphasis on single malt production. Under new ownership, the distillery began to truly flourish as a standalone brand, gaining widespread recognition for its distinctively unpeated style and the quality of its single malts.
Today, Bunnahabhain is part of the Distell Group Limited (a subsidiary of Heineken N.V.), and continues to uphold its rich legacy, embracing both tradition and innovation to craft whiskies that capture the essence of its unique Islay home.
The Bunnahabhain Range: A Spectrum of Flavours
Bunnahabhain’s whiskies are celebrated for their diverse character, offering a delightful departure from the intensely smoky stereotype often associated with Islay malts. While they do produce some lightly peated expressions, their signature style is predominantly unpeated, with a notable influence from the sherry casks in which many of their whiskies are matured. This results in a robust, complex, and often oily spirit, known for its natural colour and being non-chill filtered, ensuring a full and rich mouthfeel.
At the heart of their collection is the Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old, an award-winning expression that serves as the cornerstone of their core range. This popular whisky is a beautiful introduction to the distillery’s style, balancing sweet fruit, nutty notes, vanilla, and a gentle maritime salinity. It truly embodies the unpeated, sherried character that sets Bunnahabhain apart.
Moving up the age statement ladder, the Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old offers a deeper, more complex experience. Matured predominantly in sherry casks, it develops a rich mahogany hue and presents a warmer, smoother profile with notes of dried fruit, toffee, and a subtle whisper of sea salt.
The Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old takes this even further, offering an indulgent and beautifully balanced whisky with layers of sherry, caramel, berries, and cream, all complemented by roasted nuts and a spiced oak character. For the ultimate indulgence, they also offer 30 Year Old and 40 Year Old expressions, representing decades of patient maturation.
Beyond their age-stated core range, Bunnahabhain also features notable non-age statement expressions. The Stiùireadair (meaning “helmsman” in Scottish Gaelic) is a tribute to the distillery’s maritime heritage, showcasing a complex interplay of sweet fruit, raisins, apricots, and that distinctive coastal freshness, all derived from its maturation in sherry casks.
For those who do appreciate a touch of peat, Toiteach A Dhà (“Smoky Two” in Scottish Gaelic) offers a gently peated counterpoint to their unpeated offerings, balancing oak, pepper, and a subtle smokiness with their underlying sweet and sherried character.
Bunnahabhain also regularly releases limited editions and distillery exclusive whiskies, often showcasing unique cask finishes or specific peating levels (often designated by “Móine,” the Gaelic word for peat). These releases provide an exciting opportunity for enthusiasts to explore the breadth and depth of the distillery’s experimental spirit and craftsmanship.
Visiting Bunnahabhain: Tours and Tastings
A visit to Bunnahabhain is more than just a distillery tour; it’s an immersion in Islay’s rugged beauty and a deeper understanding of the whisky-making art. The journey itself, along the winding single-track road, sets the scene for a truly remote and special experience. The recently renovated visitor centre offers a warm welcome with stunning views across the Sound of Islay.
Bunnahabhain offers a variety of experiences tailored to different levels of interest, from comprehensive production tours to exclusive cask tastings.
Production Tour: This guided tour takes visitors behind the scenes of whisky creation. You’ll explore the malt mill, the impressively large mash tun, the traditional Douglas fir washbacks, and the distinctive tall pot stills (the tallest on Islay, contributing to their lighter spirit). The tour delves into the history of the distillery and the intricate steps involved in crafting Bunnahabhain’s unique whisky. The tour typically concludes with a tasting of two drams from their core range in the Boathouse tasting room. The duration is approximately 50 minutes.
Warehouse 9 Tasting Experience: This is consistently highlighted as one of Bunnahabhain’s most sought-after experiences. Held within Warehouse 9, a converted floor malting now home to maturing casks, this tasting offers a truly exclusive opportunity. Surrounded by the aroma of aging whisky, guests get to sample four different cask-strength whiskies directly from the cask. These are often a mix of unpeated and peated (Móine) expressions, carefully selected by the Master Blender, providing an unparalleled insight into the maturation process and the evolving character of the spirit.
There’s also the chance to purchase a hand-filled bottle from your favourite cask in the distillery shop. This experience focuses solely on tasting in the warehouse and does not include a production tour. It typically lasts around 90 minutes.
Visitor Centre Whisky Tastings: For those who might be short on time or simply wish to focus on the tasting experience, the visitor centre offers various structured whisky tastings. These allow guests to explore different expressions from the Bunnahabhain range, learning about their flavour profiles and the nuances that set them apart. The specific whiskies offered may vary, and prices range depending on the selection. These tastings are held in the new Visitor Centre, boasting spectacular views.
Important Notes for Visitors:
Booking: It is highly recommended to pre-book tours and tastings, especially during peak seasons, as spaces are limited (production tours and tastings accommodate up to 12 visitors).
Accessibility: Due to the historic nature of the distillery, not all areas of the production tour are mobility-friendly. The visitor centre, however, is fully wheelchair accessible.
Footwear: For safety reasons, open-toe shoes, flip-flops, high heels, and cycling shoes are not permitted in the production areas. Visitors should ensure they have appropriate, sturdy footwear.
Age Restrictions: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Valid photo ID may be requested for those appearing under 25.
Getting There: Bunnahabhain is remote. From Port Askaig, it’s a 4.5-mile single-track road (about 10-15 minutes drive). From Port Ellen, it’s about a 45-minute drive. Taxis can be booked in advance, and a local bus service operates to Port Askaig, though the distillery itself is still a 5-mile walk from the bus stop. Walking or cycling the road is possible for the adventurous, but be prepared for hilly terrain and changeable weather.
Visiting Bunnahabhain
Contact Information
Address:
Bunnahabhain Distillery
Port Askaig
Isle of Islay PA46 7RP
Scotland, UK
Phone Number:
+44 (0)1496 840557 (Visitor Centre)
Website:
bunnahabhain.com
Social Media:
Facebook: Bunnahabhain Distillery
Instagram: @bunnahabhain
Visiting Bunnahabhain
Contact Information
Address:
Bunnahabhain Distillery
Port Askaig
Isle of Islay PA46 7RP
Scotland, UK
Phone Number:
+44 (0)1496 840557 (Visitor Centre)
Website:
bunnahabhain.com
Social Media:
Facebook: Bunnahabhain Distillery
Instagram: @bunnahabhain
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