Bunnahabhain 15 year old An Cuan Garbh No 1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 51,6%

Bunnahabhain sits at the edge of nowhere, where Islay turns its back on the mainland and faces the open sea. An Cuan Garbh No.1 carries the name of that crossing – it simply means "the rough sea" – and it drinks that way too: sweetness and salt, weather and calm, sitting side by side.

Expert Description

Bunnahabhain 15 Year Old An Cuan Garbh No.1 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky finished in White Port casks from Portugal's Douro Valley and bottled at 51.6%.

This is the first release in the 2026 chapter of Bunnahabhain's Westering Home Collection, a three-part collector series built around the journey home to Islay. Last year's opening chapter, Turas Math, was about setting sail. An Cuan Garbh is about the crossing itself, the rough and changeable stretch that comes in between. The whisky has spent 15 years resting on oak before being transferred into casks that previously held White Port from the Douro Valley. It's an unusual finishing cask for Scotch whisky, and it shows: Bunnahabhain's salty, nutty backbone picks up a brighter, more fruit-driven edge. The whisky is unpeated, naturally coloured and non-chill filtered, and arrives in a limited release tied to Fèis Ìle 2026.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bright and floral, honeysuckle and elderflower giving way quickly to ripe stone fruit and candied citrus peel. Underneath sits a warm, honeyed note of ripe malt.

Palate

Peach and apricot lead, backed by candied lemon and honey-roasted almonds. Toasted malt gives it weight, while a light ginger spice keeps things lifted.

Finish

Long and nutty, with a last trace of candied fruit and a touch of coastal salt air.

Specifications

Name: Bunnahabhain 15 Year Old An Cuan Garbh No.1
Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 Years
ABV: 51.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Oak, finished in White Port casks from the Douro Valley
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Distillation Method: Double distilled
Bottled: 2026
Edition: An Cuan Garbh No.1, Westering Home Collection, Fèis Ìle 2026
EAN No.: 5029704221745

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Honeyed · Floral · Coastal · Lightly Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium – An Cuan Garbh No.1 is a limited Fèis Ìle release and the opening bottle in a new trilogy chapter from Bunnahabhain. Earlier chapters in the Westering Home series have drawn growing collector interest, and the limited outturn points toward solid value growth over time.

Did You Know?

Until the 1960s, Bunnahabhain could only be reached by boat, there was simply no road in. That remote setting still runs through the brand's story, which is why the journey home is the thread tying the whole Westering Home Collection together.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bunnahabhain An Cuan Garbh No.1

What makes Bunnahabhain An Cuan Garbh No.1 special?

It's the combination of 15 years of maturation and a finishing period in White Port casks, an unusual choice for Scotch whisky. It adds a brighter, fruit-forward layer to Bunnahabhain's typically salty, nutty style.

Is Bunnahabhain An Cuan Garbh No.1 worth the price?

Yes, the price reflects a limited Fèis Ìle release from a respected distillery. The unusual cask choice and its status as the opening bottle of a new trilogy chapter make it interesting both for drinking and for collecting.

What does Bunnahabhain An Cuan Garbh No.1 taste like?

Expect peach, apricot and candied citrus, backed by honey-roasted almonds and toasted malt. The finish is long and nutty with a hint of salt air.

Should Bunnahabhain An Cuan Garbh No.1 be served with ice?

No, it's best enjoyed neat in a Glencairn glass so the fruit from the White Port casks can open up fully. A few drops of water can soften the high strength if you prefer.

Why is Bunnahabhain known as the unpeated Islay whisky?

Unlike most of its Islay neighbours, Bunnahabhain has historically avoided peat in its production. That gives it a gentler, more maritime style than the smoky profile the island is best known for.

What is the Westering Home Collection?

It's Bunnahabhain's three-chapter collector series built around the theme of the journey home to Islay. An Cuan Garbh is the second chapter and focuses on the crossing itself, the rough and changeable stretch that comes in between.