The story of Puni Distillery

After years of contemplation and planning, builder Albrecht Ebensperger quite literally laid the foundation of the first Italian whisky distillery in 2010.With great enthusiasm and profound passion for the scottish water of life encouraged the Ebensperger family to found PUNI distillery. In the midst of the Alps, near the Ortler mountain range, lies the distillery building, just outside the small town of Glurns in the Vinschgau valley. The 'Highlands of Italy' are an ideal place for creating an extraordinary whisky.The growing of grain has a long tradition in the Vinschgau Valley. With its characteristic dry climate and low precipitation, rye has always been the dominant variety. Even throughout the Middle Ages the valley was renowned as an important rye-growing region. PUNI distillery uses only locally grown rye which adds distinctive flavour notes to the whisky. The distillery takes its name from the nearby Puni river, which flows through the Vinschgau valley. Similar to Scottish distilleries, which very often have gaelic names, PUNI is an ancient raetic name, deeply rooted in the local history.

2010

The distillery layout was designed and executed very carefully. Both Pot Stills were laboriously handcrafted in Rothes in Scotland before being installed under the supervision of Scottish industry experts. Today they form the copper heart at the centre of PUNI distillery.The design of the distillery's outer hull is inspired by the traditional building style of barn windows and reflects the harmonious interplay of tradition and modernity.

2012

After completion of the distillation plant and after more than two years of construction, in spring of 2012 the manufacture of the first Italian whisky began.On Friday the 24th of February 2012 the Wash Still was heated up for the first time. It was an exciting and crucial moments for the whole PUNI Team as it concluded the work of over five years and gave birth to a new future: Italian Malt Whisky In autumn of 2012 the PUNI visitor centre was officially opened. Eversince visitors are most welcome.Extensive guided tours & tastings are offered throughout the year and the whole range of products is offered at the PUNI Shop inside the distillery. There are also special bottling available exclusively at the distillery.

2015

After a little more than three years of cask maturation the first Italian Malt Whisky was released in 2015.