Bunnahabhain, produced on the Isle
of Islay, known for its world-famous un-chillfiltered whiskies, of 12-, 18- and 25-year old.
According to Ian MacMillan, master
distiller and blender of Bunnahabhain, the un-chillfiltered 12-, 18- and 25-year
olds represent whisky in its purest form with a full depth of flavour, aroma,
colour and character, “the way it was made by Bunnahabhain’s distillers many
years ago”.
“In the case of un-chillfiltered
whisky, nothing is taken away or added. It retains all its flavour, allowing
the gentle, subtle notes of the whisky to come through, thereby providing a
purer taste, nose and appearance.”
He says the significance of un-chillfiltering is best understood by
appreciating why whisky was chillfiltered in the first place. “It was purely
for cosmetic reasons, especially for blended whiskies, and was first introduced
in the 1970s. By dropping the temperature of the whisky to 0°C, then forcing it
through filters, the fatty esters are extracted just before bottling. This
process ‘polishes’ the whisky, as it removes some of the oily-fatty compounds
produced during distillation or extracted during maturation,” MacMillan says.
Chillfiltration allows the whisky
to be bottled at 43% alcohol by volume preventing the whisky, when in the
bottle or when served, from becoming slightly hazy when chilled. Several whisky experts believe chillfiltration
removes some of the flavour and body from the whisky, while with
un-chillfiltering it retains the maximum depth of flavour.
As the popularity of single malts
grew, chillfiltration was also introduced in the making of these products.
“By un-chillfiltering, as in the case of the new Bunnahabhain, the whisky’s
temperature is not dropped to 0°C and the precious esters are allowed to pass
undisturbed through the filters. This allows for full depth of flavour, aroma,
colour and character.
“Although the higher alcohol strength at 46.3% by volume keeps the whisky stable
it does become slightly hazy when mixed with water or ice.”
“Bunnahabhain’s single malts are
known for their gentle taste profile and by un-chillfiltering, the unique
character of these extraordinary whiskies become more pronounced. Unlike most
single malts from Islay, Bunnahabhain is crafted from unpeated malted barley
and pure spring water that flows freely underground, untainted by the peaty
moorlands. Whisky drinkers either new to single malts or who prefer the
slightly fruitier and more accessible offerings from Islay are likely to select
Bunnahabhain as their whisky of choice.”
According to the world’s foremost
whisky writer Dave Broom, the result of changing Bunnahabhain’s range of single
malt whiskies to un-chillfiltering is “revelatory” bringing “the distillery’s
signature gingerbread notes” to the fore.
Dominic Roskrow, acclaimed whisky
expert and journalist, says the “extra strength is to the whisky what High
Definition is to television, bringing the oral sensation into sharp focus.
Non-chillfiltration retains nuances of flavour which provide depth and
complexities to the whiskies.”
Bunnahabhain (pronounced Bū-na-ha-venn)
means mouth of the river in Scots Gaelic and refers to the Margadale River that
flows close by. Founded in 1881, the distillery lies on the north-eastern tip
of Islay and the tiny village of Bunnahabhain that overlooks the Sound of Islay
grew up around it. In the 1800s the sea offered the
easiest access to this remote place and men would brave the ocean to supply the
distillery with barley.
The new range of un-chillfiltered
whiskies have already won numerous accolades and last year at the 2011
International Wine & Spirits Competition, gold went to the 12- and 18- year
olds, with the latter achieving best in class. At the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition both the 18- and 25-year olds received double gold and at the 2011
International Spirits Challenge the 18-year old took gold. The 18-year old
received the Liquid Gold status in the 2011 Jim Murray Whisky Bible Liquid Gold
Awards and quoted as “a triumph for the sherry cask and a reminder of just how
good this distillery can be. It’s that overlooks the Sound of Islay grew
up around it. In the 1800s the sea offered the
easiest access to this remote place and men would brave the ocean to supply the
distillery with barley.
The new range of un-chillfiltered
whiskies have already won numerous accolades and last year at the 2011
International Wine & Spirits Competition, gold went to the 12- and 18- year
olds, with the latter achieving best in class. At the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition both the 18- and 25-year olds received double gold and at the 2011
International Spirits Challenge the 18-year old took gold. The 18-year old
received the Liquid Gold status in the 2011 Jim Murray Whisky Bible Liquid Gold
Awards and quoted as “a triumph for the sherry cask and a reminder of just how
good this distillery can be. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a
distillery bottling to this extent.”
Bunnahabhain whiskies are available
at fine liquor outlets across South Africa.
