Peated Bunnahabhain Staoisha and Jura 1983
Today, we celebrate two neighbouring island single malts. We kick off with Bunnahabhain, that is of course located on Islay. Across the sea strait right in front of the distillery, where views are truly breathtaking, we see the rugged Isle of Jura, famed for its deer population, the fact that George Orwell worked on his masterpiece “1984” there, and because of that one distillery.
Bunnahabhain had slipped out of my view for a few years. The releases did not really speak to me and visiting the distillery gave a somewhat downtrodden vibe. But in recent years, Bunnahabhain started making a comeback in my book, especially with the strong Staoisha peated releases (mostly by independent bottlers though), but also with some excellent sherried releases. Visiting the site last January (2025) was a delight. I had not seen the visitor centre there, that now overlooks the Sound of Islay, and the staff was really nice. One day, I hope to return and try to reach the absolutely deserted looking Ruvaal Lighthouse. By the way, did you know that the Rinns of Islay Lighthouse located on the Orsay island near Portnahaven celebrates its 200th birthday this year? Go give them a follow on Instagram.
The Isle of Jura is as far removed from civilisation as one can imagine, and honestly, that sounds more and more attractive to me in today’s world. One road up and down the island, a distillery, and lots and lots of nature. What more does one need? During the last time I set foot on the island, we had lots of fun at the distillery, but we also walked around a little, enjoying the gorgeous gorge in full bloom that day. Now, with the whisky I have a love-hate relationship, but the island is incredibly beautiful, well worth a visit.
Let us taste a few drams!
Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2017, bottled at 59,3 % abv
First things first: Multiple entries on Whiskybase for this charming 20 cl bottle. My Staoisha variant of Bunnahabhain, heavily peated whisky, was filled from single cask # 200022. It was distilled in 2017 and bottled on 19 December 2024 by Ms. T. Skinner. Matured in a “Scotch Barrel”.
Upon Sipping: So, bring on the peat! It opens actually quite modest on simple lemons and a whiff of lavender. Beautiful smoky vanilla gives the impression this is not going to be the most complex peater we ever tasted. At the same time, the best Islay peat is delivered unbothered. And that is what this Staoisha is for sure. This is just sheer fun. The high abv suggests we should return later to make more of the nose. Let’s taste it first. Ah yes, typical Bunnahabhain, creamy, full on butter vanilla, all with a medicinal signature. The burn of smoky rubber fills the mouth. Okay, maybe not so dime a dozen as I expected! Old-fashioned ashtray vibes here, really superb. Sour on the finish after a while. Even after adding some water, the nose remains rather simple. The taste also does not give away more secrets.
Word to the Wise: What you see is what you get. Peated Islay in its most pure form.
Score: 84 points.
Isle of Jura 10 years old, 1983 – 1993, bottled at 63,9 % abv by Cadenhead’s
First things first: Matured in oak cask! Cadenhead’s giving it to us straight! Distilled in April 1983 and bottled in November 1993. That bottling year is significant, because it was then that Whyte & Mackay bought Invergordon Distillers, that owned the Jura Distillery at that point.
Upon Sipping: An impressive abv, so I put this after two other samples for my Feis Ile blogs, to at least be prepared instead of going in bluntly. Moving the glass subtly under my nose, the first impression reminds me of creamy cheese. Sweaty cheese, to be more accurate. Or can I say sweaty paps without being cancelled? It dominates the experience, whatever the description. I will attempt a small sip before moving on to water. That is certainly doable, only after swallowing you get a massive alcohol kick, but before that it is mostly plain vanilla and wooded bitterness. Certainly not something you taste every day, there is a solid “old whisky” note there, something industrious. A big splash of water keeps the cheese fragrance a bit to the background, and you might even detect some soul of the Sound of Jura creeping in. I actually gave the glass a rest while a watched this fascinating video about the Gulf of Corryvreckan. With time, the Jura 1983 changes face completely. It has become much more waxy, with sea-salted vanilla whiffs. The taste remains a tad too simple, not unlike the Bunnahabhain above that we tasted right before this Jura. Lots of vanilla, but a sharp, woody edge, leaving lots of room for the barley to shine.
Word to the Wise: In the end, I thoroughly enjoy the old soul on this Jura more than the whisky itself, which is straightforward enough as it is. But this series by Cadenhead’s in the tall green bottle used to shelter the most beautiful, naked, spirit-driven single malt Scotch whisky you could imagine, and this Jura 1983 is no exception. (And the cheesy off-note fully disappeared.)
Score: 86 points