Special releases seem to come thick and fast these days, but Fèis Ìle bottlings still hold a particular appeal for me. For those unfamiliar, Fèis Ìle is Islay's annual whisky festival where each distillery releases exclusive expressions that often showcase something different from their core range. This 2024 release from Bunnahabhain is a 14 year old from 2009, finished in ruby port casks. It's an intriguing combination: Bunnahabhain's unpeated Islay character meeting the rich, fruity influence of port wine casks. When I had the chance to try it, I couldn't resist. Let's see what it's like...

There's something quietly rebellious about Bunnahabhain. While most of Islay shouts about peat and smoke, this distillery on the island's remote northeastern shore takes a different path entirely. The 12 year old is their flagship expression, an unpeated single malt that lets sherry casks and coastal character take centre stage. I've been curious about this one for a while, particularly after reading so much about how it divides opinion amongst Islay purists. Let's see what all the fuss is about...

Over the last few months I’ve sampled and reviewed nearly thirty whiskies on this site in my ongoing journey to become a Whisky Centurion. The whiskies I've tried range in price from around £27 to over £70, sparking my curiosity about value for money in a bottle of whisky. Value is highly subjective—what one person sees as valuable may differ entirely from another’s perspective. Sometimes, a cheap, easy whisky suffices, even if it means compromising on quality. Other times, splurging on a more expensive bottle can be gratifying, even if the extra cost doesn't equate to a proportionate increase in value. But it made me wonder, is there a way to quantify this and will it help?…

Today we’re diving into an intriguing whisky. Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair (pronounced ‘Bunn-na-ha-venn Stew-rahdur) is an unusual whisky. The dark-glass bottle gives away nothing of liquid inside but this is a captivating single malt with promises of maritime allure. It oozes character and distinguishes itself from many of its peers…