Whisky Focus - Bunnahabhain Virtual Feis Ile 2020 Bottlings Fly's Off The Shelf

As I am sure you are aware due to Covid-19 this years annual Feis Ile music and malt festival on Islay is sadly cancelled and just like other distilleries on the whisky island Bunnahabhain is hosting a virtual Bunnahabhain day, ‘Feis at Home’, a virtual celebration of Bunnahabhain whisky, which takes place tomorrow 29th May, which you can join in with from the comfort of your own home with a dram in your hand.

Just like any other festival years the distillery unveiled some new specially bottled Festival Editions which would normally have been available on Bunnahabhain's festival day from the distillery but as that wont be possible this year the distillery made the whisky available to Bunnahabhain fans via their website shop ahead of the festival.

They unveiled two limited release Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2020 bottlings, one peated and one unpeated representing the distillery's diverse styles. Between them, the peated expression, the Bunnahabhain 2010 Moine Amontillado Finish and the unpeated expression, Bunnahabhain 2002 Madeira Finish made up a total of 2,822 bottles which went on pre-sale via the distillery's website to whisky fans and even the team at the distillery were shocked to see every bottle sell in under 24 hours meaning if you were not lucky enough to get a hold of of a bottle then you have missed the chance.

If like me you were not one of the lucky ones to get hold of a bottle then this is what you have missed, the first of the festival editions was the Bunnahabhain Moine Amontillado Finish, a 2010 peated single malt bottled at 56.9% ABV, it was matured in the iconic coastal warehouses on Bunnahabhain Bay, and finished in Amontillado sherry hogshead casks. A limited release of 1658 bottles and is described as a warming dram which dances with sweet, peppery flavour – recreating that inviting atmosphere of the Islay festival.

The amber gold whisky is said to have unique notes of peppery peat, spicy oak and vanilla custard on the nose, with fresh espresso, dried apple and dusty cocoa on the palate, and a long peppery finish, packed with rick oak and roasted nuts.

The second of the festival editions, the Bunnahabhain 2002 Madeira Finish, was a non-peated single malt bottled at 53% ABV, matured for 18 years in Bunnahabhain’s shore-front warehouse and finished for three years in Madeira sherry hogshead casks. There was 1164 bottles of the 2002 Madeira Finish available, this unique dram is said to deliver a symphony of sweet, creamy flavour to taste.

Described as burnished copper in colour and its standout Madeira Finish has notes of sweet ripe figs and creamy berries on the nose, vanilla and caramelised fruit on the palate, and with a dry but warm finish, fading into a sweet lingering marmalade.

Andrew Brown, Distillery Manager at Bunnahabhain, said: "Our festival editions always bring the team's talent and craft to the fore with something a bit different, and this year’s expressions are truly special.

"We couldn't have imagined that they would be released without a festival taking place this year. Though these limited-edition single malts pay homage to the magic of Feis Ile, so even if you can’t be there in person, now everyone can take a little slice of that home. Until we raise a dram with you again in person next year!"

As I said these limited release Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2020 whiskies sold out in under 24 hours, marking the first ever ‘virtual’ Feis Ile, each bottle label is adorned with a rainbow which has become the nations symbol of of hope and support during the Covid-19 outbreak and I am pleased to say that Bunnahabhain have donated 10% of all product sales to The BEN – in aid of Scottish hospitality industry workers affected by Covid-19.

Don't forget to tune in to ‘Feis at Home’ live streams from the distillery on Islay tomorrow, 29th May, which will take place at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6.30pm (BST) You can join in on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bunnahabhain

You will also find the current Bunnahabhain whisky range available from specialist online whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop and Master of Malt
 

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