Whisky Focus - Bunnahabhain Fèis Ìle 2022 Bottlings Unveiled

Fèis Ìle 2022, Islay's renowned whisky and music festival is fast approaching and  Bunnahabhain, Islay’s most remote distillery, has unveiled its Fèis Ìle 2022 programme as it prepares to open its distillery doors to festival fans in person for the first time since 2019, this year the festival will run from 27 May to 4 June but if you cant make it to Islay don't worry the distillery will also be running a series of virtual events.

On 3 June 2022, Bunnahabhain Day, single malt whisky drinkers will be able to make the pilgrimage to the idyllic island of Islay and experience the charm of Bunnahabhain. Admire the view from the veranda in person, soak up the magic of Warehouse 9, sample the delicious whiskies and chat to the team who created them.

As well as unveiling their Fèis Ìle 2022 programme, Bunnahabhain also revealed the first three (one more bottling still to be revealed) of their special limited edition Bunnahabhain Fèis Ìle 2022 bottling's which are - Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig, Bunnahabhain 1998 Calvados Cask Finish and Bunnahabhain 2004 Moine Tokaji Cask Finish.

Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig is a non-age statement marriage of Bunnahabhain spirit, 2004 Moine Tokaji and 1998 French Calvados cask finish. For those participating in Bunnahabhain Day, the team will also have a few surprises in store, with exclusive details on another new limited-edition product to be revealed live during the Masterclass tasting. RRP £95.

Bottled at 50.8% ABV, Abhainn Araig takes its name from the Araig River on Islay, a vital life source for the distillery. It is a marriage of Bunnahabhain spirit that has been matured in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry, in a selection of octave casks. The bottling has a velvety rich texture, with notes of chocolate, powdered ginger and cigar box on the nose and dark toffee and spicy cinnamon on the palate. This will be available in markets across the globe.

Bunnahabhain 1998 Calvados Cask Finish is a special edition 1998 Cask Finish bottled in celebration of Feis at 49.7% ABV. Finished in Calvados brandy casks, this bottle has slumbered peacefully for two decades on Bunnahabhain’s shores before spending the last two years of its life in casks that once held the finest French Calvados. Tawny in colour, this dram is said to contain notes of barley sugar, pear drops and toffee apples on the nose, and green apples, pear candies and toffee on the palate with a lingering floral finish. This will also be available in markets across the globe. You will need to dig a little deeper into your pocket if you want to taste this one, the Bunnahabhain 1998 Calvados Cask Finish has a RRP of £400.

Bunnahabhain 2004 Moine Tokaji Finish is a peated Bunna which will be available exclusively at the Bunnahabhain distillery and on Bunnahabhain.com, bottled at 52.5% ABV, it has been produced using Bunnahabhain Moine, meaning ‘peated’ in Scots Gaelic. The 2004 Moine Tokaji was finished in casks which once held the finest Hungarian Tokaji white wine. Described as caramel in colour with touches of white sugar, sandalwood and citrus on the nose, the palate features smoky vanilla pods, white chocolate, lemon zest and pear, with the sweetness of the Tokaji drops leaving notes of freshly sawn-oak wood. RRP £199

Bunnahabhain Day 2022 marks Master Blender Julieann Fernandez’ first in-person Fèis Ìle since taking on the role, Julieann, commented: "It is beyond exciting to be part of the team hosting this year’s Bunnahabhain Day for Fèis Ìle 2022. After two years of virtual events, we are thrilled to be opening the distillery doors to welcome whisky lovers from around the globe. It is a chance to celebrate our diverse portfolio and give visitors a sneak peek into life on the iconic Islay.

"The Fèis Ìle 2022 collection reflects all of the incredible work that goes on each day at the distillery, and I am so proud to be involved in the production of these whiskies. Keep your eyes peeled for a few other surprises in the pipeline!"

As I said above, Fèis Ìle runs between Friday 27 May and Saturday 4 June, with Bunnahabhain Day on the Friday 3 June. Fèis Ile bottling's and tasting kits are available from www.bunnahabhain.com and all of the distillery’s events will be broadcast live on Facebook.

Bunnahabhain 2004 Moine Tokaji Cask Finish (RRP£199) will be exclusively available from the distillery visitor centre and Bunnahabhain.com and if the prices are a bit steep for your budget dont worry as there are also sample kits available from  Bunnahabhain.com.

Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig (RRP £95) and Bunnahabhain 1998 Calvados Cask Finish (RRP £400) are already available from some specialist online whisky retailers such as Hard To Find Whisky and no doubt will soon be available from the likes of The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops

Whisky Focus