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The name Bunnahabhain is Gaelic and means ‘mouth of the river’ referring to River Margadale in the north of the Isle of Islay. This river is the water source that is an essential component in the production of Bunnahabhain whisky. Master distiller Ian McMillan recently presented his new baby: Toiteach.
The distillery was founded in 1881 by James Ford, James Greenlees and William Robertson. After generations of ups and downs, with intermittent closures, the distillery was finally purchased by Burn Stewart Distillers in 2003. Since then it has once again been turning out very successful whiskies, though of a type untypical for the Isle of Islay.
Bunnahabhain does not heavily peat the malted barley for its various whiskies, in contrast to other Islay producers such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin or Ardbeg. The distillery is obviously swimming against the current with its production methods. With Toiteach it wanted to pay tribute to the popularity of heavily peated whiskies.
Toiteach (Gaelic for ‘smoky’) is a whisky with an average age of ten to eleven years which is bottled unfiltered at a strength of 46% vol. In contrast to all the other Bunnahabhain whiskies, it is heavily peated and thus represents a respectful nod to the unique style of the Islay whiskies. Its intense smoky aroma is certain to find an increasing number of fans.
Ratings
"A very elegant peat aroma whose discreet presence lingers like a silver thread on the horizon. However, whiskies of equal quality in a more friendly price category are no rarity."
Gonçalo de Sousa Monteiro (Admirals Bar, Berlin)
"The first impression is that of fresh, new leather upholstery, followed by distinct roasted hazelnut aromas. The nose is confirmed in the taste, which also
exhibits hazelnuts, leather and smoke. I found the rather minimal packaging quite pleasing: straightforward and unpretentious, just like the taste. A whisky one might compare to an Aston Martin: It purrs like a cat at the start, but when you step on the gas, is hisses dangerously. A gentleman of alluring understatement and charm."
Arnd Henning Heissen (Shochu Bar, Berlin)
Origin: Scotland
Producer: Bunnahabhain
Distribution: Seven-Spirits GmbH & Co. KG
Price: approx. 60 euros (0,7l)
Alcoholic strength: 46% Vol.
Tanja Bempreiksz
