Distillery creates Italy’s ‘first’ single malt whiskies

Italy’s first dedicated whisky distillery, Puni Distillery, has launched what it claims are the country’s first single malts.

Puni Nova and Puni Alba are described as Itlay’s first single malt whiskies

Established five years ago in South Tyrol, in the Italian Alps, Puni started distilling in 2012 and has now bottled two single malts: Puni Nova and Puni Alba.

The distillery uses locally-sourced grain which is distilled in traditional Scottish copper pot stills.

Puni Nova has been matured for three years in American ex-Bourbon barrels and then finished in European oak casks. It is said to have an aroma of honey, banana and vanilla.

Puni Alba, described as having notes of candy fruits, sultanas, exotic fruits and smoke, was matured for more than two years in Marsala dessert wine casks and one year in ex-Islay casks.

“After nurturing our special liquid for so many years, we are very proud to be finally able to share our new Italian-born whisky with the world,” said Jonas Ebensperger, one of the founders of the Puni Distillery.

“We put all our hearts into the making this whisky and we are very excited to give whisky lovers all over the world a chance to taste it.”

Puni claims that its whisky matures faster than liquid distilled in other parts of the world due to “considerable seasonal temperature variations”.

The distillery has released 977 individually numbered bottles from the first batch of each expression, both carrying and abv of 54%. The first edition batch of Puni Nova is priced €126, while the first edition batch of Puni Alba is priced €154.

The second batch of Puni Nova carries an RRP of €59.00 and the second batch of Puni Alba costs €74.00.