Bunnahabhain Toiteach

The best of Bunnahabhain & Islay in one dram.

Bunnahabhain Distillery was constructed in 1881 by the Greenlees Brothers on the island of Islay where the Jura peninsula reaches out to meet it across the Sound of Islay. Where most distilleries write paragraphs about the smallest historical detail, Bunnahabhain doesn’t talk to much about their past. But over the years, production levels and quality fell. That all changed when Distell Group bought the distillery and put things under the direct control of master distiller Ian MacMillan. Under Ian’s guidance, Bunnahabbain has transformed itself into a quality-focused one where single malt Whisky evils like chill-filtering and artificial coloring are taboo.

Bunnahabhain is first and foremost an Islay single malt, and that means smoke. The word “toiteach” actually means “smoke” in Gaelic. But Bunnahabhain as a rule is milder than its more aggressive Islay neighbors, so don’t be scared off by the name. This dram still has the more gentle, fruity character it’s known for, but with a smokier bite than its sisters. Think about it like a peach cobbler that was cooked a bit too long.

Smartass Corner:
“Bunnahabhain” translates as “river’s mouth,” and that makes sense the facility sits just a few steps away from the spot where the small Margadale River empties into the Sound of Islay.