The fantastic flagship from Bunnahabhain (pronounced boo-na-ha-ven), launched as the distillery's original single malt in 1979, this Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old. It is aged in a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks and, since a relaunch in 2010, has been bottled at a big 46.3% ABV without chill-filtration or additional colouring. Very impressive. Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old is unpeated, unlike most Islay whisky, but has a beautiful coastal quality complemented by its fruity, light, sweet and nutty character. It’s one of those whiskies that newcomers and enthusiasts alike appreciate.
Fresh, sweet, and a little floral. There’s seaweed, rich malt, dried fruit, camphor, caramel, chocolate orange, and apple poached in cinnamon.
Soft and supple with a nutty, sherried quality leading among vanilla, marmalade, sultanas, and a bright coastal element.
Mochaccino, dried herbs, Christmas cake spice, and a balanced salty tang.
Surprisingly delightful and provocative! I give it 4 out of 5 stars. As for the Nose, off in the distance I get hints of Maple syrup (Pancakes). If you bury your nose into the dram your olfactory glands are assaulted with the scent isopropyl alcohol....opening up your nostrils. Palate: It has a certain boldness and complexity to it. At first sip, it's excitingly warm like a kiss from a new love, but the memory of it is lost soon after, leaving you wanting for more. Now as a novice connoisseur (oxymoronic, like "Jumbo Shrimp"), maybe I'm not the best one to evaluate the dram...because my taste buds are not that distinguishing....e.g., I can appreciate a good hotdog as well as an average hamburger. As a matter of fact, I was eating a slice of pizza along with a side glass of Moscato while sipping on my Bunnahabhain aperitif....at home as if I was at some resort taking in the astonishing simplicities of life. "Well at the end of the day isn't that truly what it's all about friend?" Finish - It does have a lingering effect on the throat....sherry like and pleasantly warm but not overwhelming so. History about me: I'm a Novice, went to a Scotch tasting for the first time last summer (2015) in Wash. D.C.; the varieties offered were Aberlour, Oban, Balvenie and Yamazki 12 yr. Single Malt (SM). The pours were in plastic containers (cups)...the overhead ceiling fans were on blowing down onto the crowd and the drinks, which in my opinion oxidized the scotches just setting out at the different tasting stations...but hands down for me was the Yamazki 12 yr. SM. My Recent M of M Purchases - Nikka W. from the Barrell (Japanese), Paul John (Peated Select Cask-Indian), Yamazaki Reserve (Japanese), and Nikka All Malt (Japanese). Since then, I've acquired a couple of bottles of Bunnahabhain 12 here in the US for $49.00 each) and a bottle of "The Dalmore Aged 12 yr. (Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey) for about $25.00. Rating - Of the four scotches I purchased from MoM: Nikka fr. the Barrell was number one for me. However, my number two, was Paul John. It's simply to die for (but don't do it, live on and enjoy the Whiskey). The "nose" by far for me as a Novice, stands alone. When you first whiff the aroma, your olfactory glands and brain reverberate saying "Whoah, what is that"...oak, chemical, what? The aroma captivates and assaults your nose like a Muhammed Ali right hook coming at you from out of nowhere, prompting you to say, "Where'd the hell did that come from". But I do agree with the Chaps at M of M (MoM)...the nose is very earthy, not sure about the salt though. As for the palate, MoM is "spot on" BBQ Smoke" all the way. Relative to the Finish, there is something about the flavor, quite can't put my finger on it, that lingers on your tongue long after you've finished the dram, shot, snifter or whatever your choice of drinking glass is. Just do me a favor, "no plastic cups" please. Use an acceptable drinking glass. By the way, the Paul John Peated Select Cask is escalating in price real fast. So if you like peated whiskeys, I'd advise you to jump on this one asap before the price skyrockets. Bon appetite!
What a great whisky. Bought This in Germany because it was 10 euro's cheaper than in Holland. As a fan of Islay whisky I had great aspectations for This one. I knew before I bought This one that it is unpeated Islay whisky and that it might be a disappointment. But it wasn't at all! It is superbe stuff for me. I still love peated whisky, but when I am in the mood for a softer, more delicate, well balanced whisky, this is my dram! The different tastes come in so gentle, even when I swallow there is nothing hostile about this whisky. Not that I can't enjoy a brute force heavely peated troat burning Islay whisky anymore, but now I have a choice between two very different styles, without ' getting of ' Islay. Thanks for that Bunnahabhain!
For my dime, this is a wonderful dram. Very nice lingering flavors of sherry, smoke, peat and salt. No color added, no chill-filtration. Yes.
This is different than other Islays I've had so far. Not to strongly peated, which can be good at times. & you'd never guess it had a higher alcohol content than 40% because it was so light with a dry finish & no burn at all. The main thing that stood out to me though was the sweet fruity nose & taste. Wasn't sure I liked it at 1st, but by the 3rd sip I knew I had to have a second dram. (just to test it of course) I can see that this wouldn't be for everyone, but I'll keep a bottle around for when I want something different.
This was my go to for many years but this batch for 2016 is not up to par. Something is off. Doesn't have the depth it used to. Still has the nose but the palate creaminess is gone and the finish is short. Tired casks?
