Islay, beyond the smoke
Islay
Explore The Queen of the Hebrides with Bunnahabhain, where the island’s softer side comes into focus.
Welcome to Islay
Famed for its bold, peaty whiskies, Islay is a whisky lover’s paradise. The island’s windswept coastline, peated water sources, and maritime climate create whiskies with intense smoke, salty sea spray, and deep, earthy character.
But Islay is not one-note. Alongside heavily peated drams lies a quieter, equally compelling side of the island, where maritime influence, malt sweetness and careful maturation take centre stage.
Bunnahabhain represents this alternative Islay tradition. Situated on the island’s north-eastern coast, overlooking the Sound of Islay, the distillery is best known for producing predominantly unpeated single malt whisky that highlights coastal character without overwhelming smoke.
Bunnahabhain shows that Islay whisky can be nuanced, elegant and deeply expressive, while still unmistakably shaped by its island home.
Bunnahabhain. Islay, redefined.
Founded in 1881, Bunnahabhain takes a distinctive approach to Islay whisky-making. Its spirit is typically unpeated, allowing the influence of coastal air, time and cask selection to shine through.
The result is whisky that leans into salt, nutty richness, dried fruit and gentle spice rather than overt smoke. When peat is used, it is handled with restraint, adding depth rather than dominance. Bunnahabhain offers a broader view of Islay, one that rewards patience and curiosity.
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength - 2025 Edition
The 2025 Cask Strength release of Bunnahabhain’s beloved 12 Year Old showcases the distillery’s unpeated, sherry-kissed house style at full natural strength, 56.4% ABV.
Matured predominantly in second-fill oloroso sherry casks on the north-eastern coast of Islay, it's presented non-chill filtered and with no added colour. This is a whisky that rewards both neat sipping and the addition of a few drops of water to unlock its floral and creamy depths.
Explore more from Bunnahabhain
From classic unpeated Islay to softly smoky expressions, Bunnahabhain’s range showcases the island’s breadth.
Win a Trip to Bunnahabhain Distillery
Buy selected Bunnahabhain bottles during the Explore Scotch Whisky campaign, and you could win a trip to this iconic Islay distillery. The winner will enjoy behind-the-scenes access, guided tastings of rare Bunnahabhain whiskies and the chance to explore Islay from a different perspective.
This is Islay, without the shouting.
