Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

This is my go-to whisky, and I'm not ashamed to say it. No color and un-chillfiltered? Yes please! This has the maturity and complexity of a much older malt, a perfect balance of saltiness and sweet, and coastal characteristics that will take you right to the water's edge where the Bunnahabhain distillery sits.

An amazing taste experience for the price! Guaranteed you'll feel the salt air, hear the gulls, and smell the damp green hills when you escape in this beautiful dram. It's worth every penny!

Still on the fence? Order a sample from the chaps at Master of Malt!

4th March 2015

I rarely find fault with a scotch. Not sure this one falls into that category. it tastes industrial, false and even tacky. I taste molasses and not enough bite. I regret purchasing a bottle; a first for this scotch lover.

19th February 2015

I had my first taste of this last night and its my 5th Islay and I liked it the best of them all so far. The Laphroaig 10 and 18 are kind of single trick ponies, The Coal Ila 12 was great. The Ardbeg Corryvreckan is great as was the Kilchoman but I think the Bunnahabhain 12 is my favorite Islay now. Very little smoke and not a lot of typical over the top Islay flavor but very well rounded overall.

31st January 2015

One of the most tasteful of the 12-year old single malts. Sweet, caramel, hint of smoke, oak. Well matured and rich!!! Yummy!

19th January 2015

Love this whisky. Can't say enough good about it.
The color is a gorgeous caramel. The nose is a pure delight, maple, orange, rosebuds, cinnamon and nutmeg.
The taste . . . a pure delight. Not as much peat as I like in an Islay but just a pleasure to drink. Similar to Highland Park 12, or Glenfiddich 18, which are two of my favorites. If I had a choice between the three . . . oh my! . . . might be this Bunnahabhain.

18th January 2015

This is the first un-chillfiltered whisky that i tried. The taste explosion blew me away! The stuff is awesome with a slight bit of peat in the background. it really stands out for me, very well balanced, one of a kind and really worth a try.

5th January 2015

Oops, forgot to add star rating - 5* of course :)

30th December 2014

Interesting to read the varied reviews of Bunna 12YO - I think much is down to one's experience and expectations. I wouldn't say that it's one for malt whisky beginners nor for someone trying an Islay malt for the first time. Complex, unusual, rewarding, even 'burnt rubber' - it's all of those. I love it. I couldn't say which is my favourite Islay malt but Bunna 12YO is up there with Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Lagavulin. And much cheaper than any of those!

30th December 2014

This whisky is good start to discover the peat taste. It has only 1-2 ppm phenol. You will not be shocked, as I was for the first time tasted Lagavulin 16 (about 35-40 ppm) :)
Smooth and balanced drink. I recommend.

26th December 2014

Not much to find on the nose, just some salted caramel and sea air. However, the surprisingly smooth, every so sweet and smoky palate lends itself to a long buttery finish with subtle complexities. Overall a very enjoyable dram, with light peat and great finish! Not overly complex, but far from being one-noted. A superb whisky for the price!!

23rd December 2014

What a delightful surprise. My wife and I visited Bunnahabhain whilst staying in Islag at the Laphroaig View Guest house. Since arriving back in South Australia, I have purchased two 12 year old Bunnahabhain Whisky bottles and I have introduced several people to this most excellent Whisky - smooth, lovely nose, lingering mellow aftertaste - thank you.

20th December 2014

By far my favourite single malt. Not to peaty and long lasting smooth finish. Can't say much more other than it is truly a sublime whisky! SP

14th December 2014

(yum)

10th December 2014

i don't really like peat but I love this! Just a hint and well balanced with a touch of sweetness and spice.

15th November 2014

Much better than many flat 12 year old speysides and excellent value. I keep coming back to Bunna 12. - it just does it for me. Lovely long finish and bottled at 46%. It has all the Islay magic without much peat.

15th November 2014

very tasty

11th November 2014

You have to have some scotch experience to like this. Awesome in a word. Peat, salt, spice, with a cocoa/buttery textured finish.

6th November 2014

Just plain delicious. What more can be said.
Can't imagine a better whisky for the price . . . and even for double the price.
I am a Highland Park 12 lover (as well as several Islays) and this is right up there with the best of the best.
Glad I discovered it.

3rd November 2014

Stunning quality and complexity at this age and price. An Islay malt which deserves much more attention. Add a little water and you'll be in malt heaven.

9th October 2014

I am now half way through my second bottle of this amazing whisky. There is bags of flavour and for me it has just the right amount of peaty smoke. I love its sweet salty fruit freshness and the darker complex sherry undertones. One of those rare drams that you can't be without and great value bottled at over 46%.

8th October 2014

Sweet and hint of liqourice root. Warm and comforting

28th September 2014

While I agree with many that Bunnahabhain 12 seems to have just a touch of peat, which melds perfectly with this sherry bomb of a whisky, according to the distillery it is actually unpeated. I struggle to believe it because it means all that smoky flavor in it comes purely from the wood.

20th September 2014

This dram offers good value for it's money. I love the amber color to start with. The body is light and rolls cleanly through your glass. On the nose, it's quite gentle, with both hints of seaside and meadowy landscapes. The palate reveals a smooth herbal sensation, ultimately resulting in a medium long finish characterized by a trace of pepper and more herbs. Definitely enjoyable whisky which is nicely accesable and friendly on the tongue.

29th August 2014

£28 odd on offer at waitrose, really glad I picked it up, lovely :)

25th August 2014

... foot of the river

22nd August 2014

n anybody tell me what Bunnahabhain means?

19th August 2014

This has been a real discovery. I picked up a bottle while visiting Islay and have really enjoyed it. Rich, complex flavours with a beautiful, dark chocolate finish. I highly recommend it.

24th July 2014

I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy this. We have had many bottles and most expressions including a lovely 14 year old from Chieftain's Choice.#
Really enjoying the 25 year old at present.
Would like the old style bottle back with the older fisherman on the front as I liked it.

23rd June 2014

I was given a bottle as a gift and really enjoyed it - a touch of peat but considerably less than most Islay malts. A lovely expression.

5th June 2014

Bought this on the highest recommendation of ralfy.com. First time he's lead me astry (so I assume that the fault lies with inconsistency at Bunnahabhain!)

This malt simply tastes rancid--like a cross between burnt rubber and rotting meat. It's completely undrinkable and I don't even think I could blend the off flavors away.

24th March 2014

A beautiful dram

11th March 2014

I picked this up along with the sister brand Deanston 12 when they were offered at a £10 discount at my local supermarket. They are both bottled unchillfiltered at over 46% and represent great value. The Bunna has more flavour and a fair degree of peat influence without it taking control. My only disappointment is a distinctly musty nose, but it is less obvious on the palate. All in all, a cracker of a single malt. I shall be ordering more at full price.

4th March 2014

Bunnahabhain 12 and Highland Park 12 always stay in my cabinets....

11th January 2014

If you like lightly peated, lightly sweet, this is a good drink. I love the extra alcohol burn, but it disguises some flavor. Worth trying but a bit pricey

18th December 2013

Life is a a bowl of cornflakes isn't it? Bunnahabhain own up to 1 million casks, all of which are on their 3rd or 4th use. The bunna 12 was the bottle which started my obsession/addiction to whisky many moons ago. Sadly, a visit to the distillery this year confirmed the crisis they are in - tired casks, maximum production reached, a lack of cask storage and infrastructure expenditure neglect have culminated in the drop in quality of this revered dram. I hope the new owners, Distell will create the turnaround. Until then, forget the 12, enjoy the 18 and cross fingers all will be well for the future.

5th November 2013

I'm new to Whisky but I've had enough experience to know great whisky exists and this isn't a great. Maybe older versions would be better to mellow out the alcohol sting idk. It's better with water but not something I'd recommend or buy again.

1st November 2013

Reminded me of a mild Brandy, too much sherry. I was disappointed because I paid $ 50 hoping to get some peat and smokey flavour but got none.

1st November 2013

...lots going on and a completely different animal with just a splash of water...high up there on the flavour scale for the money and very refined...I dont give many a 10

24th October 2013

A deep amber colour for a 12 year old, with a good, medium body, leads to a rather disappointing and offensive nose. Orange peel and spices are evident, along with slight banana notes. The high alcohol content is very prominent in the nose.
To taste, initially it is smooth, however as soon as the whisky is allowed to settle on the palate, the bite is overwhelming. Adding water eases the bite and relaxes the palate to succumb to the almost non-existent finish.
In summary, an Islay Whisky that has none of the stereotypical characteristics of the well loved "Islay's"
Characterless and alcoholic.

6th October 2013

a seaside breeze of salty peat followed by gentle smooth vanilla and a beautiful oily brininess of a mouth feel thanks to the no-chill filtration still vibrant and clean with note of citrus coming through and a slight nuttiness on the finish only a drop of water needed if any and after 10/15 minutes a caramel smell develops beautiful, a great whisky in my book, the reviewer above has obviously lost all sense of smell and taste especially if he/she can not smell that PEAT.

1st October 2013

На вкус и запах как солодовая брага. Да, есть мягкость и херес угадывается, торфа и дыма нет вообще. Очень своеобразный и противный солод. Самый худший что я пил. Отзывы о нём сильно преувеличены. На любителя.

(Translation using Google translate: The taste and smell like malt brewed beer. Yes, there is a softness and sherry guessed, peat and smoke not at all. Very peculiar and nasty malt. The worst that I've been drinking. Feedback was greatly exaggerated. An amateur.)

8th June 2013

Got it as a present so it had a head start but have to say smooth as silk - a definite winner!

21st May 2013

Tastes like Christmas.

14th May 2013

I will not be without this one. It is outstanding in its class/price.
The more I have drunk it the better i have liked it. I would have no hesitation in recomending it to you.

Johnny Norfolk

13th April 2013

Setting my Easter , decided to have some and cork broke in the bottle. First cork that ever broke off In a whisky bottle for me. Other than a stopper in there now, should i make a fuss and take back to the store? Anyone else have this problem? I have hardly had more than 4-5 tots. Interested in your opinion. Mike - Ssouth Africa

1st April 2013

We had a blind tasting of six different Islays. There were nine of us sampling all the drams and it was unanimous, the 12yo Bunnahabhain was the worst of the six. Burnt rubber was actually written on two separate note cards.

13th February 2013

Beautiful details in the nose. Caramels and apricots. A touch of water opens it up and brings more smiles. No artificial coloring and not chill filtered, too. A great, great sip. The bottle empties quickly.

11th February 2013

Creamy and smooth. An excellent value. I much prefer the Bunnahabhain 25 (10 out of 10!), but for far less money, you can get this and pretend it's the 25!

5th February 2013

I've a wee taste by the fire every evening; it is the best part of my day.

31st December 2012

Certainly a game of too halves.- neat it is strong and sherried - add a dash (more Like a drip!) and it becomes a smooth fruity Xmas pudding of a malt with a hint of vanilla hanging round the edges. Exceptional - and a bottle you want to keep exploring further to unearth its hidden flavours !

6th October 2012

One of the best single malts i have ever tasted, the bottle runs out far too quick though ;)

9th June 2012

Jim Murray doesn't like it - but I think it's great. Plenty of punch and nice caramels. No peat but still an Islay great.

3rd June 2012

This is the best malt i have ever drunk!Every sip from this brings back good old memories.Its aroma reminds me of wild peaches,wet smoke,cinnamon and the salty sea air.Without a doubt the king of malts.I need a drink now!

29th March 2012

Sherried, black currant, lightly seaweed, nutty, smooth spices. A very different than older presentation, but not necessarily better. I have to mention, that when I have less than 1/5 bottle left, it suddenly started to taste very bitter and sulfuric. Maybe oxygen influence? I hope that was just a dud, because otherwise this is a great stuff.

29th February 2012

Beautiful, chust....

7th December 2011

stars

4th October 2011

with sherry touch - pronounced peat, that does not overwhelm the spicy, ftuity bodeaux- note, but still makes very clear it´s islay scotch of the finest

4th October 2011

with sherry touch - pronounced peat, that does not overwhelm the spicy, ftuity bodeaux- note, but still makes very clear it´s islay scotch of the finest

4th October 2011

Definately the King of Malt

30th September 2011

Is he sitting on Shergar?

8th September 2011

If you look closely you can see that without any doubt the character on the bottle is Lord Lucan in disguise. Surely the police can get him at last!

15th December 2009