Lloyd's Whisky Syndicate N°17 - Staoisha 11yo

THE DISTILLERY

Deriving from the Gaelic for ‘mouth of the river’, Bunnahabhain (pronounced Bu-nah-hav- en) was founded in 1881 by William Robertson and brothers James and William Greenless. True to its name, the distillery is located at the mouth of the Margadale River in the North of Islay (not far from Caol Ila).

The distillery is among the oldest on Islay and has two distinguishing traits. First, Bunnahabhain was historically focused on blended whiskies, unlike most other Islay distilleries that produced single malts. Indeed, Bunnahabhain today remains a key ingredient in Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark blended whiskies.

More importantly for us, the distillery’s core production that is sold under the Bunnahabhain name is unpeated, so as to highlight the specifics of the malted barley used.

Bunnahabhain restarted production of peated spirit in 2013 rapidly reaching 20% of total production. The peated whisky is sold as “Staoisha” mostly by independent bottlers so as to distinguish it from the classic unpeated production. The name deriving from Loch Staoisha ( literally translated from gaelic as “lake peat stack”) which is located 3 miles southwest from the distillery which is also used as an alternative water source.

Bunnahabhain is characterised by its extra large copper pot stills which result in a large contact surface area with the spirit. This results in a new make that is light, smooth and particularly well suited to aging in sherry casks.

THE WHISKY

This expression of Staoisha was aged in a first fill Pedro Ximenez hogshead for 11 years, before being bottled at cask strength.

Upon nosing, you are met by peat, burnt caramel and leather.

On the palate the peatiness opens up releasing a mix of toffee, spices and dry fruits.

The finish is of lingering sweetness and toffee.

We see this whisky as a perfect end to a Spring barbecue or a Sunday roast.