PUNI - Italian Whiskey

In the idyllic Vinschgau, in the middle of the Alps and surrounded by grain fields, Italy's first whiskey distillery has been located since 2010.
PUNI was founded in 2010 by Albrecht Ebensperger in Vinschgau, the "highlands of Italy". The distillery takes its name from the Puni River, which flows through the valley nearby. Much like the Scottish distilleries, which often have Gaelic names, PUNI is an ancient Raetian name that leaves the distillery deeply rooted in local history.

The cultivation of grain has a long tradition in Vinschgau, especially rye, and PUNI only uses locally grown rye for its mash. PUNI uses three types of malted grain; the barley provides the malty, flavorful base, the wheat adds a smooth sweetness and the rye brings body and depth to the spirit.
The distillery is located in the middle of the Alps, in a pretty 13 meter high red brick cube. It was inspired by the traditional style of the old, airy brick walls of a rural barn, colored in soft earth tones, embodying both tradition and modernity. Inside are handmade copper stills.

In the spring of 2012, production finally started after more than two years of construction. A little over three years later, in October 2015, the first Italian malt whiskey was born.