Introduction
As a long-time fan of Bunnahabhain’s more restrained and unpeated offerings, I was curious when I saw the Turas Math released for Feis Ile 2025. The whisky comes from a mix of Oloroso sherry butts and first-fill bourbon barrels, a combination I usually enjoy for its balance of richness and brightness. Bunnahabhain often puts real thought into its festival releases, and this one—with a respectable 54.7% ABV and non-chill filtration—caught my attention immediately.
Nose
On the nose, the whisky opens with a clear coastal identity—salted air, wet oak, and a faint mineral edge that reminded me of old wooden piers. As it settles, I picked up mellow red fruits, mostly stewed raspberries and dates, followed by soft toffee and roasted nuts. There’s a gentle earthiness behind it all, too, maybe damp leaves or worn leather, that adds some depth. A bit of water brings out more orange peel and vanilla fudge, softening the initial brine.
Palate
Taking the first sip, I noticed how oily and mouth-coating the texture was. It starts off with dried apricots and cherries, then shifts to darker notes—prunes and mild chocolate. Spice kicks in midway, with nutmeg and a bit of black pepper, though it stays contained. There’s a slight smoky bitterness, not from peat but perhaps from toasted oak, that adds structure. I was particularly pleased with how integrated the fruit, spice, and salted notes felt—nothing stuck out awkwardly.
Finish
The finish was medium-long, and leaned dry. Dried figs, sultanas, and a hint of hazelnut remained for a while, along with lingering spice and dry oak. The saltiness came back at the very end, like a trace of sea spray. It doesn’t fade quickly, though it does move steadily from sweet to savoury. There’s no harsh burn, even at the higher ABV—it remained composed all the way through.
Price and Value
Being a festival edition limited to 12,000 bottles, the asking price is higher than the core range, but not unreasonable. I felt the quality matched the cost—it’s not flashy, but it delivers a mature, balanced dram with enough complexity to explore over multiple tastings. Compared to other special Islay releases, it stands out for its subtlety rather than power.
Background
Bunnahabhain is known for its unpeated Islay single malts, produced at their distillery on the northern shore of the island. They’ve leaned heavily into sherry cask maturation in recent years, while still maintaining some classic ex-bourbon profiles. The Turas Math was bottled for Feis Ile 2025, Islay’s annual whisky festival, and shows off a mix of their bourbon and sherry cask stock. The name, meaning 'Good Journey' in Scottish Gaelic, reflects the distillery’s coastal setting and long maritime associations.
Final Notes
Would I pick up another bottle if I came across it? Yes—I’d keep it for sharing with seasoned whisky friends who can appreciate its measured complexity. As for newcomers, I think they’d enjoy it too, though the 54.7% ABV might need a splash of water. It’s not a bold peat bomb, so it suits quieter moments—late evenings or focused tastings—better than loud gatherings. Compared to other Islay bottlings, especially the heavily peated ones, this one offers more finesse than intensity. It leans on rich cask character rather than raw power, which is something I’ve always appreciated from Bunnahabhain.