Bunnahabhain Distillery, located on the northeastern coast of Islay, is currently undergoing a major £10.5 million renovation and expansion project. According to official statements, the distillery had become 'over-extended,' leading to the demolition of four warehouses and fifteen other buildings. The ambitious redevelopment plan includes constructing a new visitor center on the left side of the road adjacent to the distillery, scheduled for completion by late 2019 or early 2020. On the right side, former warehouse space will be repurposed for a new bottling hall and additional parking facilities. A significant portion of the investment is allocated to production equipment upgrades, including transitioning from manual to computer-controlled mashing operations. Post-renovation, the majority of Bunnahabhain's maturation will occur on Islay.
The distillery's production facility features a 12.5-ton traditional stainless steel mash tun with a copper lid, six Oregon pine washbacks, and two pairs of stills. In early 2018, two washbacks were replaced, with the remaining two scheduled for replacement by the end of 2019. Fermentation times vary between 55 to 110 hours. For 2019, the distillery targets production of 2.1 million liters of new make spirit, with 40% being peated and 60% unpeated. Recent years have seen an increase in peated whisky production, with phenol levels rising to 35-45ppm.
The core range comprises 12, 18, 25, and 40-year-old expressions. The flagship peated offerings include the no-age-statement Toiteach a Dha, a vatting of bourbon and sherry cask whiskies, and Stiùireadair, matured in first-fill and refill sherry casks. Limited releases from July 2019 feature a 2007 Port Pipe Finish, a 2007 French brandy cask, and a 1988 Marsala cask. Travel retail exclusives include Cruach-Mhòna, a heavily peated young expression; Eirigh Na Greine, a blend of bourbon, sherry, and red wine casks; and An Cladach, sherry cask matured. For the 2019 Feis Ile (Islay Festival of Music and Malt), two special editions were released: a 2008 Moine French oak cask and a 2001 Sauternes cask.
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