Bunnahabhain Distillery has launched An Cuan Garbh No.1, a limited-edition 15-year-old single malt finished in White Port casks, as the first release in the 2026 chapter of its Westering Home Collection. The Islay distillery has also announced a creative partnership with wild food chef William Rhys Hamer and photographer Bill Baillie to celebrate the launch through food and film.
The expression is the first of three bottlings in the An Cuan Garbh series, all set to be released this year. An Cuan Garbh translates from Scots Gaelic as "The Rough Sea."
The whisky was finished in White Port casks sourced from Portugal’s Douro Valley and matured at Bunnahabhain Bay on Islay’s northeastern coast. Official tasting notes from the brand describe layers of orchard fruit, candied citrus, toasted malt, and gentle spice.
Julieann Fernandez, Bunnahabhain’s master blender, said: "We’re incredibly excited to share An Cuan Garbh No.1 with whisky lovers around the world as the first release in this new chapter of Westering Home. For me, the liquid always comes first, and with An Cuan Garbh No.1 we wanted to create something that felt true to Bunnahabhain while still offering something new to discover."
Fernandez added: "The White Port casks bring richness and softness, with notes of orchard fruit, peach and apricot, balanced by candied citrus, honeyed almonds and gentle spice. There’s a real sense of exploration in the liquid that sits perfectly with this chapter of Westering Home."
The Westering Home Collection is a three-year series inspired by the famous anthem of Islay and the emotional pull of returning home. The 2025 edition, Turas Math, explored the theme of setting sail. The 2026 chapter shifts to themes of challenge, transformation, and discovery.
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Rhys Hamer, founder of The Wilder Kitchen, and Baillie traveled Islay’s waters and landscape to create content reflecting those themes. "Cooking outdoors, working with the landscape and celebrating local ingredients is at the heart of what I do," Rhys Hamer said. "Partnering with Bunnahabhain on a project so deeply connected to place and tradition has been incredibly special to me."
Bunnahabhain will host a sold-out dining and tasting experience at the distillery on May 26 during Fèis Ìle, Islay’s annual whisky festival, which marks its 40th year in 2026. Guests will enjoy a menu created by Rhys Hamer paired with rare drams.
Two further releases, An Cuan Garbh No.2 and An Cuan Garbh No.3, will launch during Fèis Ìle and will be available exclusively at the distillery and via bunnahabhain.com.
