Bunnahabhain releases malt inspired by 1800s

Single malt Scotch whisky Bunnahabhain has unveiled a new limited edition which replicates “as close as possible” the brand’s original expressions from the 1800s.

Ceòbanach is said to be “as close as possible” to the original recipe for Bunnahabhain Scotch whisky used in the 1800s.

When creating Ceòbanach, meaning “smoky mist” in Scots Gaelic, Bunnahabhain master distiller Ian MacMillan took inspiration the role peat played in 19^th Century Islay, where the substance was used for warmth, fuel and trade.

The 10-year-old expression, which has been aged in ex-Bourbon casks, is described as having a “rich and complex” character with underlying “hints of the sea”.

“With the new millennium I decided to turn back the clock and recreate the original Bunnahabhain,” said MacMillan. “I have spent a decade regularly monitoring, nosing and tasting these whiskies as they matured.

“I always envisaged that this product would be perfect around 10 years old and I certainly have not been disappointed. Although we could never fully replicate the original style of spirit produced at Bunnahabhain, Ceòbanach is as close as we could possibly hope for.”

Bottled at 46.3% abv, Ceòbanach is now available at £59.99 as a limited release across the world.

In May this year, Bunnahabhain unveiled two limited edition expressions at Islay’s Feis Ile music festival, Bunnahabhain Westering and Bunnahabhain Dràm an Stiùreadair,