Tucked into a quiet cove on Islay’s rugged northeast coast, Bunnahabhain feels almost like a secret kept by the sea. Far from the peated pageantry of its southern siblings, it has long charted a gentler course, offering a style of Islay whisky that whispers rather than bellows.

Founded in 1881 during the whisky boom, Bunnahabhain grew around its own tiny village, built to house the workers who tended the stills and warehouses in this remote spot north of Port Askaig. For much of the 20th century, it was known as a blending workhorse, its lighter spirit used to lend grace to the likes of Black Bottle. Yet those who sought out the single malt discovered something rare — an Islay whisky with a soft heart and a briny soul.

The distillery’s unpeated style (at least historically) stems from its tall stills and gentle distillation, which produce a spirit full of orchard fruit, coastal salt, and nutty sweetness. Maturation in sherry casks plays a prominent role, particularly in the beloved 12-year-old expression, where notes of dried fruit, toffee, and spice bloom against a backdrop of sea breeze and damp oak.

In more recent years, Bunnahabhain has added some peated variants to its range, proving that even the quietest voices can learn to roar. Yet its essence remains rooted in elegance — a maritime malt that favours nuance over noise and lingers like mist on the Sound of Islay.