09/06/2023
Chapter 20
A chat with... David Brodie (Bunnahabhain Distillery) - #16
Founded in 1881, Bunnahabhain distillery lies on the north-eastern coast of Islay, known for its spectacular surroundings and delicious signature unpeated Islay Single Malt Whisky fruity in style (which, as you probably know, is unusual for an Islay malt), however, they also produce very nice peated whiskies (mòine), which are more robust and smoky in character.
Since 2013, the distillery was owned by Distell, while with the recent completed purchase of Distell’s Southern African operations by Heineken, they are now owned by CVH Spirits. Former owners, Burn Steward, adopted a new bottling strategy, abandoning the too diluted 40% liquid and presenting all in natural colour, without chill filtration and with a decent ABV (starting from 46.3% for the core range bottles).
The distillery core range is a mix of age statements bottles at 12, 18 and 25 year olds and some NAS (No-Age Statement) bottlings, which also include peated expressions such as Toiteach and Ceóbanach.
No visit to the distillery is complete without meeting David Brodie, either for a chat in the shop or for the tasting experience. A proper Islay legend that we met years ago during our first distillery visit. We have recently reached out to him to have Bunna’ participating in this ongoing interviews project.
Let’s see what he told us…
Hi David, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Please introduce yourself, and tell us a little bit about your whisky journey so far.
My name is David Brodie and I’m a member of the Bunnahabhain Distillery Visitor Centre team. I have worked there since early 2015 where my primary role is to ensure that customers and guests receive a welcome befitting the efforts they have made to visit us. This includes guiding Tours, hosting Tastings, and passing on knowledge to help potential purchasers of our products make the right decisions.
I also do some external Brand Ambassador work and also find myself heavily involved on the Social Media side of the Whisky World.
When and how did you join this growing industry?
I exited my (since-school) banking career in 2005. Living on Islay, I started to work in the hospitality interest which culminated in my managing the Lochside Hotel (see side mention) and its famous Duffie’s Whisky Bar for 3 years.
When it was sold in 2015 I started at Bunnahabhain as a Tour Guide, and remain there to this day although now on a more part-time basis.
Now tell us a bit more about Bunnahabhain Distillery, what is it that makes them stand out in the whisky industry?
Bunnahabhain stands out from the other Islay producers to a large extent by the fact that nearly all our whisky is made from unpeated Malted Barley and also due to our predominant Casking Policy being the use of “Sherry Casks”.
We look to appeal to customers who appreciate quality spirit with bold flavours which is also presented with integrity, meaning an absence of Chill-Filtration or Additional Colouring.
Can you tell us what your target audience is?
Bunnahabhain’s Target Audience for me is anybody I might engage with at the Distillery, be they whisky tourists/industry folk or non-whisky people alike, but also any whisky people I encounter through Social Media.
This may not coincide exactly with all our Corporate aims, but these are the areas that I can affect and if I can bring anyone over to our side, then that should be good for the Company…
Can you tell us how you select your casks, and anticipate anything about what we can expect to see next?
Cask Selection for bottlings is within the remit of Julieann Fernandez, our highly talented Master Blender, although we do get a voice at the VC in the final pick of Casks for our “Warehouse 9 Tasting Experience”.(read about our Warehouse 9 experience in Jack’s Chapter 10).
We try to ensure a continuing variety of interesting Casks for sampling alongside the various Sherry Casks that represent our “House Style”.
What advice would you give to a beginner that is approaching this world and perhaps starting his/her own collection?
If a whisky newbie was to ask me for advice, I would say, don’t throw lots of money at full-size bottles in the early days. There’s plenty of other ways to try out many different drams before you think about a collection.
Take a trip to a specialist whisky bar, or even a hotel with a whisky reputation can be helpful. Staff are usually knowledgeable and willing to offer guidance.
Visit distilleries to get a bit of background info on the processes and to taste a variety of their produce. Try online Tastings. Seek out likeminded people on Social Media where there is a welcoming Whisky community always willing to share their thoughts.
Visit a Whisky Festival. Join a Whisky club or society who hold regular Meetings and Tastings. Mostly, remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to tasting whisky, so enjoy.
Lastly, what is, generally speaking, your favourite whisky style (cask type, ageing, peated/unpeated etc.)? What’s your dram of choice at the moment and/or your go to drams on a Friday evening?
As regards my own tastes in whisky, I prefer to avoid the bulk of the 40% world although I appreciate why it exists. I also tend to avoid the more medicinal-style peated products, but beyond that I have a very open mind when it comes to drams.
I am extremely fortunate to have favourable access to our own whiskies, especially as my own personal all-time favourite is a Bunnahabhain (the now legendary Auld Acquaintance 34yo from 2002, see Whiskybase link), but I also enjoy trying any other whisky that finds its way into my hands.
This is a nice time of year with new Fèis Ìle bottles appearing (see mention), and I have a real soft spot for the Canasta Cask matured offering, so that’s my current “go to” dram.
Official website: https://bunnahabhain.com/
Drams
and more...
Today's drams
- Bunnahabhain 12yo – 46.3%
- Bunnahabhain 18yo – 46.3%
- Bunnahabhain Aonadh 10yo – 56.2%
- Bunnahabhain 2004 Moine Warehouse 9 Tasting – 52.8%
- Bunnahabhain 2007 Manzanilla Butt Warehouse 9 Tasting – 54.2%
Fèis Ìle
Feis Ile also known as the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, is one of Scotland’s biggest whisky festivals.
Celebrated every year in the last week of May, its programme is quite large and diverse featuring traditional music, ceilidhs (social gatherings), Gaelic lessons, sport activities such as golf and bowling and, most importantly, of course, whisky tasting events, hosted by all the distilleries and bars of Islay.
Lochside Hotel
As already said in Jack’s Chapter 8, highly recommended for its excellent hospitality, friendly team, cosy rooms, stunning views, great food and, of course, impressive whisky selection. Quite strategic location as well on the Island if you need to drive around.