Puni Alba is a singular pleasure: the first and only Italian single malt whisky, a graceful bridge between Mediterranean warmth and Scottish island smoke. We are proud to pour it at Grappa in Queen Anne, Seattle, where its Italian heritage feels right at home alongside our cuisine.
About the Distillery
Puni was founded in 2010 by the Ebensperger family in Glorenza, in the Val Venosta valley of Alto Adige, high in the Italian Alps near the Swiss and Austrian borders. Housed in a striking cube of red brick, the distillery draws on pure Alpine water and locally grown grain to produce Italy’s pioneering malt whisky. It is a small, family-run house defined by patience and a distinctly Italian sense of craft.
Style & Region
This is an Italian single malt with a gentle, layered character. Alba is matured in ex-bourbon oak and then finished in casks sourced from Islay, the Scottish island famed for its smoke. That Islay finishing lends the whisky a soft, lightly smoky edge, while its Alpine origins keep it bright and elegant. The result is a harmonious blend of Italian fruit and a whisper of island peat, unlike anything else in the whisky world.
Tasting Notes
Expect a refined, lightly smoky pour: soft peat and malt lead, joined by lemon, summer berries, and a winey fruitiness from its maturation. There are mineral and earthy notes, with hints of licorice, pepper, and roasted walnut, and a gentle smoky warmth on the finish. It is balanced and intriguing, marrying Mediterranean elegance with a subtle island character.
What to Pair It With
Puni Alba’s lightly smoky, fruity profile is a natural with our charcuterie board, its gentle peat echoing cured meats. It is a thoughtful match for our flourless chocolate cake, where smoke meets dark cocoa. Its Italian roots also make it a fitting close to our American Wagyu steaks. Browse the full dine-in menu.
How It’s Served at Grappa
We pour Puni Alba neat at $35. We recommend it neat to appreciate its delicate smoke and Alpine elegance.
FAQ
Where is it from?
Puni Alba is an Italian single malt made by the Puni distillery in Glorenza, in the Val Venosta valley of Alto Adige, in the Italian Alps. It is Italy’s first malt whisky distillery.
What does it taste like?
It is lightly smoky and elegant, with soft peat and malt, lemon, summer berries, and a winey fruitiness, plus mineral notes and a gentle smoky warmth on the finish.
Why is it smoky?
Alba is matured in ex-bourbon oak and then finished in casks sourced from Islay in Scotland, which lend it a soft, lightly smoky character.
To enjoy Puni Alba with us, book a table, browse the cocktail & spirits list, and the dine-in menu.
