Blog

Celebrating the first releases from the reimagined Tormore distillery in Speyside. The Blueprint series explores the core building blocks that will shape the next generation of Tormore single malts. Each small-batch release is matured in a different cask type—Cream Sherry, Bourbon Barrel, and Toasted Barrel—to reveal how these wood profiles influence the spirit’s signature stone fruit character. Bottled at 48% ABV and limited to just 1,500 bottles per expression, these are snapshots of what’s to come.

Founded in 1881, Bunnahabhain sits on the remote northeastern coast of Islay, overlooking the Sound of Islay and facing the Paps of Jura. Its name — meaning “mouth of the river” in Gaelic — reflects its location at the end of a winding coastal road, as far from the island’s bustle as you can get.

Traditionally known for its unpeated spirit, Bunnahabhain has long been the outlier among Islay’s distilleries. But in recent decades, a lesser-known side of its production has gained a cult following: a heavily peated variant distilled in small batches, branded as Staoisha.

This is Islay whisky in its rawest, most elemental form — bracing peat smoke, coastal salinity, and a punchy distillate strength that demands attention. It’s the kind of spirit that independent bottlers and cask enthusiasts seek out for its clarity of character and ageing potential.

For those interested in cask ownership, these Staoisha fills offer a rare opportunity to own part of Islay’s modern whisky story — with all the pedigree and provenance of Bunnahabhain behind it.

Tucked within the dramatic landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island lies Central Otago, the world’s southernmost commercial wine-producing region. Renowned for its spectacular scenery—rugged mountains, vast open plains, pristine rivers, and glacial lakes—Central Otago offers a remarkable combination of terroir, culture, and winemaking innovation. Despite its relative youth in commercial wine production, the region has quickly earned international acclaim, particularly for producing some of the world's finest Pinot Noir.