Bunnahabhain debuts cask investment programme
Islay distillery Bunnahabhain has launched its first-ever single cask programme, featuring its new peated spirit, Staoisha.
The casks will be filled with the distillery’s peated new-make spirit, Staoisha, which is described as ‘a distinctive departure’ from Bunnahabhain’s traditionally unpeated character.
Master blender Julieann Fernandez-Thomson said: “A single cask programme has been in our sights for some time, and we wanted to ensure that we had a special offering for whisky lovers worldwide. Traditionally, Bunnahabhain is celebrated for its unpeated single malts, so the opportunity to own a cask of Staoisha new-make spirit is really quite rare.
“Nothing brings me more joy as a master blender than witnessing a cask’s journey; going from fresh, fruity distillate to rich, expressive single malt. By purchasing directly from the distillery, you also have the opportunity to be part of the journey, whether through visiting us and spending time in our warehouses or by receiving regular samples and tasting the spirit as it matures.
“This is a unique chance for whisky lovers to own a piece of Bunnahabhain history – from its very first moment of maturation to the last part of the story when it’s bottled into your perfect dram.”
Cask investment
The single cask programme is designed for individual investors. There are three options: a 200-litre first-fill ex-Bourbon barrel for £5,650 (US$7,783), offering classic vanilla and citrus notes; a 250-litre refill hogshead for £6,750 (US$9,298), with opportunity to re-cask at later date; or a 500-litre first-fill oloroso Sherry butt, contributing layers of fruit and spice to the spirit, priced at £13,850 (US$19,078).
Each cask owner can choose whether to mature their cask at Bunnahabhain or transfer it to Deanston, Bunnahabhain’s sister distillery.
Maturing a cask at Bunnahabhain allows for a slow, steady ageing process due to Islay’s cool, maritime climate and traditional dunnage warehouses. This environment is said to help maintain the peat intensity while gradually introducing coastal, briny notes and subtle oak influences.
Conversely, maturation at Deanston, which is located on the mainland, occurs in a drier climate with racked warehouses. This can result in faster oak interaction, leading to a shift towards ‘sweeter, spicier, and fruitier flavours’.
Casks will be aged for a minimum of five years, with the option to age 10 years or more upon additional costs. Insurance and warehousing for the period are included in the price.
As part of the purchase, owners will be invited to the distillery to sample their cask and receive annual updates.
Buyers will purchase directly from the distillery rather than through a third party or secondary market, allowing a direct, two-way relationship with the distillery’s cask sales team and ensuring complete trust in the cask’s origins, storage location, and care.
In the event of distillery closure or sale, the legal ownership of the cask will remain intact when backed by proper documentation.
Additionally, each cask sale includes discounted visits for the buyer and a guest to the distillery, a 15% discount in the distillery shop and online store, and access to Bunnahabhain’s cask sales team for advice on spirit and cask selections.
Bunnahabhain Distillery was founded in 1881. The distillery is owned by CVH Spirits (Capevin Holdings). The firm was created in 2023 after Heineken successfully acquired a 65% stake in Distell Group, including its subsidiary Burn Stewart.
In September 2024, Campari Group acquired a 14.6% stake in the company.
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