The hidden gem of Islay, Bunnahabhain is situated on north of the town of Port Askaig on the shores of the Sound of Islay, with views across the water to the dramatic Paps of Jura. Known mostly for their unpeated style in flagrant contrast to the Island's iconic smokey profile, once in a blue moon the distillery charges their stills with heavily peated barley and produce limited runs that surprise and delight drinkers and collectors around the world.

Known as Staoisha, this run of spirit represents less than 10% of Bunnahabhain's production and appears most prominently in youthful, hard-to-find independent bottlings, presenting a clear edge to those who have the patience to hold for ten years at least. Named for the nearby Loch Staoisha, a dark peat-infused pool, this spirit is peated above 35 PPM, so technically peatier than neighbouring Caol Ila's standard spirit, this is a huge departure from Bunnahabhain's normal style, but retains their classic dedication to small batch finesse.

As we have mentioned before, Bunnahabhain charges their stills to 47% capacity and the increased surface-to-liquid contact with the copper of the stills leads to a drier, finer spirit unlike any other on Islay or the rest of Scotland for that matter.

Aged in a refill bourbon barrel these beautiful 2014s are excellent a long-term prospects. They have nearly 8 years of maturation behind them, have been recently regauged and so are known quantities; with little risk for those hoping to see appreciation over the long term. Staoisha ticks all the boxes; a classically peated Islay malt, a strong brand name courtesy of Bunnahabhain and a unique production method. Considered and elegant, this is a collector's dream cask and one which we cannot recommend highly enough.