Islay, Scotland (June 3, 2024) – In celebration of Fèis Ìle, one of the largest whisky events in the world, Bunnahabhain Distillery, Islay’s most northerly distillery, has announced two of their new limited-edition Scotch whiskies, will be released in the United States in early June.
Specially created by veteran Distillery Manager Andrew Brown and Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, these new expressions include a 14-year-old Ruby Port Cask Finish and a 23-year-old Triple Sherry Wood Finish, both recent award winners in the 2024 International Spirits Challenge.
“Fèis Ìle is a true celebration of everything that makes Islay whisky so special; the community, the craftsmanship, and the heritage,” said Andrew Brown, Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager, who recently marked 35 years at Bunnahabhain. “Every year we welcome visitors from around the globe to celebrate our distillery home during the festival. But we know not everyone can make the journey to Islay, so these special drams have been crafted to enjoy with us, wherever you are in the world.”
Speaking on this year’s limited-edition releases, Bunnahabhain’s Master Blender Julieann Fernandez shares, “This year, to keep the Fèis Ìle festivities going beyond the tastings and events at the distillery, we are pleased to share the Ruby Port Cask and Triple Sherry Wood Finish releases—both which stay true to Bunnahabhain’s renowned sherried style—with those in the United States.”
Whisky super fans who traveled from around the globe to attend Fèis Ìle (Islay Whisky Festival) last week, were the first to taste these new expressions from Bunnahabhain Distillery. For whiskey enthusiasts in the United States unable to make the pilgrimage to the whisky coast of west Scotland, they will soon be able to purchase these expressions online at ReserveBar.com and in select U.S. markets.
Fèis Ìle 2024: 14-year-old Ruby Port Cask (58.7% ALC/VOL, 117.4 Proof, 700 ML) – MSRP $213.99
About: Bunnahabhain is renowned for unpeated, classically sherried single malts, and this limited-edition release represents the distillery house style, but with a twist for Fèis Ìle 2024. Bottled at a robust 58.7%, the 14-year-old Ruby Port Cask release, shares similar characteristics to sherry and is packed full of candied fruit notes that impart flavors of cinnamon and plum complementing Bunnahabhain’s creamy and malty spirit harmoniously. Originally filled into the finest American white oak ex-Bourbon casks before being transferred into Ruby Port Hogsheads to finish, this delicious dram delivers bold flavors of cherries and dark chocolate, with big hits of red berries that lead to a lingering and spicy finish. An exceptional burst of sherry with notes of creamy fudge, vanilla pods, and a hint of tobacco—a truly distinctive dram to celebrate near and far.
Taste Profile: Sweet, Spicy, Unpeated
Color: Copper
Nose: Initial burst of dark chocolate which fades to reveal toasted oak, cherries, plums and raspberries, with a hint of caramelized walnuts
Palate: Spicy but sweet, with cinnamon and nutmeg intertwined with pain au chocolat, red currants, pomegranate and sweet malt
Finish: Lingering finish with cocoa and spice
Fèis Ìle 2024: 23-year-old Triple Sherry Wood Finish (53.3% ALC/VOL, 106.6 Proof, 700 ML) – MSRP $713.99
This cask-strength release unites the very best sherry finishes synonymous with Bunnahabhain. Distilled in 1999, the spirit was then transferred into a trio of sherry casks: Amontillado, Manzanilla, and Oloroso. Skilfully married by Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, the flavors reveal themselves in a journey of discovery with each sip. An exceptional burst of sherry with notes of creamy fudge, vanilla pods, and a hint of tobacco—a truly distinctive dram to celebrate near and far.
Taste Profile: Nutty, Creamy, Floral
Color: Mahogany
Nose: Freshly baked almond pastries are met with sweet berries, creamy fudge, rose petals and a hint of desiccated coconut
Palate: Fresh vanilla pods, butterscotch and creamy strawberries are balanced with honeyed cashews, wood spice and a gentle hint of tobacco
Finish: Dry finish of pine needles and black currants
About Bunnahabhain
Established in 1881, Bunnahabhain is the most northerly of the Islay distilleries and one of the most remote. Bunnahabhain takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘mouth of the river’ and refers to the Margadale River from whose clear spring waters the whisky is distilled. Focused on sustainability, Bunnahabhain has the first Net Zero distillation on Islay and is known for its unpeated whisky, due to the pure spring water piped to the distillery and the use of unpeated barley. The combination of sherry casks, which deliver complexity, richness, and sweetness, with the coastal influence of the sea makes its whisky very unique and highly complex. For more information on this brand, visit bunnahabhain.com.
