Scotland, Isle of Islay. Distillery operational. Owner: Burn Stewart Distillers – Distell Group

Developed by the Highland Distilleries company in the late 19th century, before joining the Edrington group (Macallan, Glenrothes, Highland Park, Tamdhu) in the 20th century, Bunnahabhain was, until the early 2000s, only Islay's second malt to opt for an unpeated profile. A major supplier for blends (over 90% of production) such as Black Bottle, Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and Scottish Leader, Bunnahabhain made a name for itself in 2002 with the releases of a magnificent 1968 vintage named Auld Acquaintance, a 1966 Feis Isle, a 1980 single cask and a black label 34 year old. It was a prosperous year for a distillery which until then had only a single expression, Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old, presented in a stocky green bottle and strongly influenced by its sherry cask maturation. Since being bought in 2003 by Burns Stewart Distillers (Distell group), Bunnahabhain has released numerous limited editions and finally made the most of its potential.

A Bunnahabhain single cask (#2608) distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2001. Mackillop’’s Choice is an independent bottler owned by Ian Mackillop & Co, a subsidiary of the London blending company Angus Dundee, which also owns Glencadam and Tomintoul, and produces the brands Mackullik’’s Choice (for the French market) and Montgomerie’’s.