Whiskey Bunnahabhain, “Stiuireadair”

Bunnahabhain whiskey “Stiuireadair” is a new single malt Scotch whiskey from the northernmost distillery of Ayala Island, released in 2017. The Bunnahabhain distillery is located right on the beach, and the name of this whiskey means “coxswain” in Gaelic, after the helmsmen of the ships on which the distillery has depended for many years.
Stiuireadair (pronounced STEW-R-DR) is a young single malt whiskey matured exclusively in sherry casks. Some of them are used for the first time, that is, they come from Marez, which is located in Spain, and some of them are used for the second time, that is, the whiskey was aged in them once at the distillery, and is now bottled for a second time. The goal is to create a whiskey in which the sherry influence is not predominant or absolute, but is added as an ingredient along with the maritime character of Bunnahabhain. The result is a balanced whiskey that clearly expresses the distillery’s signature.
The aroma contains a combination of caramel, raisins, hazelnuts, cloves and the classic sea freshness of Bunnahabhain. It tastes thick, and all the local flavors we smell come through here too, with the addition of a slight saltiness. The marine character is also noticeable in the aftertaste with notes of dried fruits, something chocolate and a little spicy. The combination of sherry casks and Bunnahabhain distillate gives a slightly musty taste in the best sense of the word, as if they had managed to capture the air of an old wine cellar and add it to the whiskey. For its young age, this whiskey exhibits a pleasing complexity and is definitely not a whiskey for beginners – unless they are wine lovers.