Puni

High in the South Tyrolean Alps, in the Vinschgau valley near the village of Glorenza, stands Puni, Italy's only whisky distillery. The Ebensperger family was inspired to pursue their passion for whisky after the father completed sommelier courses in the early 1990s, travelling specially to Scotland to study whisky tastings and distilleries there.

Founded in 2010 and operational since 2012, Puni uses exclusively malted barley, rye, and wheat grown in its own Vinschgau valley, refined with pure mountain spring water from the Stelvio National Park. From Puni Gold to Puni Sole, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

How did a sommelier's passion become Italy's only whisky distillery?

Albrecht Ebensperger discovered his fascination with whisky in the early 1990s during his own sommelier courses. Together with his family, he delved deeper into the history and practice of whisky-making and travelled to Scotland several times to visit distilleries and tastings. This passion led, in 2010, to the founding of Puni in the Vinschgau valley, South Tyrol – named after the nearby river Puni and the Rhaetian language deeply rooted in the region. After extensive planning and construction, actual production began in 2012, following old Scottish tradition.

What makes Puni's striking building so special?

The distillery's headquarters is a 13-metre-high red-brick cube in a chessboard pattern, designed by the renowned South Tyrolean architect Werner Tscholl – an architectural landmark of the Vinschgau valley. Puni uses exclusively malted barley, rye, and wheat from its own valley, along with pure mountain spring water from the Stelvio National Park. The first bottlings, Puni Nova and Puni Alba, were released in 2015.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. Puni Gold
The distillery's accessible core bottling.
Taste: Fruity and spicy with alpine freshness.
Serving suggestion: An exciting introduction to Italian whisky.

2. Puni Sole
A bolder bottling with higher alcohol content.
Taste: Intensely spicy with pronounced grain character.
Serving suggestion: For anyone seeking a more concentrated alpine malt.

Facts and figures

Location: Glorenza, Vinschgau, South Tyrol. Founded: 2010, first distillation 2012. Family: Ebensperger. First bottlings: 2015 (Nova, Alba).