Bunnahabhain
Full Islay food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.
The quiet one on Islay — mostly unpeated, with a characteristic salty, nutty, coastal character instead of heavy smoke. A good entry point to ‘Islay’ for people who think they don’t like peat.
Bunnahabhain is Islay's quiet outlier — mostly unpeated, characteristically salty and nutty, with none of the peat and smoke Islay is famous for. The 12 Year Old is an excellent gateway for whisky drinkers curious about Islay who don't want to start with Laphroaig. The distillery sits at the end of a single-track road on Islay's north-east coast with views across to Jura.
Visiting Bunnahabhain
Contact distillery
Port Askaig, Isle of Islay
PA46 7RP
- Shop
- Café/Restaurant
- Parking
Core range
12 Year Old
46.3% ABV · American oak + sherry casks (mostly unpeated)
Mostly unpeated Islay — the outlier of the island. Bottled at 46.3% non-chill-filtered. Sherried profile closer to Highland malts than the rest of Islay.
- Nose:
- Sherry, dried fruit, oak, faint nuttiness.
- Palate:
- Sweet sherry, raisin, oak, faint salt.
- Finish:
- Medium-long, drying, gentle salinity.
Stiùireadair (NAS, sherry)
46.3% ABV · First-fill and refill sherry casks
Affordable sherry-cask Islay (unpeated). One of the best value sherry expressions on shelf — the Stiùireadair gets less attention than it deserves.
- Nose:
- Soft sherry, dried fruit, oak, faint chocolate.
- Palate:
- Sherry-led — raisin, oak, gentle spice, faint nuttiness.
- Finish:
- Medium, drying, sherry-sweet.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Year Old | Roasted almonds or hazelnuts | The nutty character of Bunnahabhain echoes toasted nuts. |
| 18 Year Old | Mature cheddar or Comté | Aged expressions have the depth for strong cheese. |
Getting there
Ferry to Islay (Kennacraig–Port Askaig). Single-track road north from Port Askaig, 10 min. Car or taxi from ferry.
Kennacraig–Port Ellen ferry (Islay) — The Kennacraig–Port Askaig sailing lands nearer this distillery; the linked guide covers the Port Ellen crossing from the same port.
Ferry times, fares and booking on TripSCOTWhere to eat nearby
- Port Askaig HotelHotel/Bar
10 min south — bar food with ferry views.
- Bowmore hotelsArea
Bowmore village 30 min south — main dining options.
Where to stay near Bunnahabhain
Bunnahabhain is on Islay's north coast, 6 miles from Bridgend by road — a remote setting with a small workers' village overlooking the Sound of Islay. The distillery self-catering cottages are the most atmospheric option. Bridgend (the island's road junction) has a hotel and is central for touring. The Sound of Islay views across to Jura's Paps are exceptional from the Bunnahabhain shore.
Ferry-side hotel, 10 min from the distillery.
Main Islay hotel, 30 min south.
The map is centred on Bunnahabhain — set your dates on it, or go straight to hotels, B&Bs and self-catering through the providers underneath.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RP
View on map →Near Bunnahabhain
Things to do nearby, from our sister site TripSCOT, which covers the day-out side. Distances are in a straight line from Bunnahabhain, not by road.
Frequently asked questions
+Is Bunnahabhain peated?
The standard range (12, 18, 25) is unpeated. The Mòine expressions use heavily peated malt and offer a different, smokier character from the same distillery.
+How do I get there?
Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig (CalMac). Then 10 min north by car on a single-track road.
+Where is Bunnahabhain distillery?
Bunnahabhain is in Islay. Postcode PA46.
+When was Bunnahabhain distillery founded?
Bunnahabhain was founded in 1881, making it roughly 145 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
Closest in style to Bruichladdich Classic Laddie — unpeated Islay with maritime character. Very different from the peated Islay template.
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