Staoisha Cask-2017-#21650 Distillery: BunnahabhainRegion: IslayAge: 5 yearsDistillation Date: 20th February 2017Cask type: First Fill Ex-Bourbon (Buffalo Trace)Peated?: Heavily PeatedRe-gauge ABV: 62.9%Re-gauged Litres of Alcohol (RLA): 113.9 litresNew bulk litres: 181.0 litresRe-gauge Date: 21st December 2021Bottles: 258Cask Number: 21650First Fill Ex-Bourbon Peated Variant From Islays Sleeping Giant The WoodThe cask here is a First Fill Ex-Bourbon barrel from Kentucky-based Bourbon producers Buffalo Trace. Similar casks of this age have been snapped up and released by several independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail and Douglas Laing, however rarely seen beyond 5-10 years old. There is potential for this cask to continue maturation for many years, as the regauge strength remains at a healthy 62.9% after 5 years of maturation.The SpiritStaoisha is a heavily peated malt produced at the Bunnahabhain distillery. Currently, about 20% of Bunnahabhains production is peated and undergoes two fermentation cycles designed to optimise efficiency. Ferments on Mondays and Tuesdays last for 48 hours so that the wash can be distilled that same week. Ferments on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays last for 110 hours so that they are ready for distillation the following week. The spirit made from the two different fermentations are blended together before being laid to wood.The stills are also the tallest on Islay and, at 20 feet 10 inches, among the tallest in the industry. This causes more reflux and increased copper contact, resulting in a lighter malt. Thats the primary reason why Bunnahabhains peated whiskies are so different from their historic antecedents. Rather than being oily and pungent, Bunnahabhains current peated offerings are drier and lighter with a more pronounced peppery influence.The MastersThe distillery manager when this cask was filled 5 years ago was Andrew Brown whose journey with Bunnahabhain began in May of 1988, when the distillery found itself short-staffed for unloading malt boats that came into their famous pier.After helping out on a few occasions, I was given a full-time role as warehouseman, and joined the small, hardworking team. Over the years, I was lucky enough to gain experience in most other areas of the distillery. From the summer of 1989, I worked in both the warehouse and mash house, as the relief mashman.Andrew Brown (2017)He also remarks that this style of Bunnahabhain is typical of Islay but not necessarily this distillery and that he particularly likes peated Bunnahabhain paired with local Scottish oysters.The HistoryEstablished in 1881 on a remote corner of Islay, Bunnahabhain is perhaps the most exposed distillery to the elements and in 2019 undertook a colossal redevelopment and facelift of the visitor centre offerings costing upwards of 14 million pounds. This exposure has seen popularity of the distillery grow; however, perhaps less well-known compared to other household names from the tiny island.It is like a sleeping giant quietly working away producing its gentle style of whisky, slowly gaining more respect and distinction as the years go by.Andrew Brown (Distillery Manager 2017)。
