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.
This used to be fabulous whisky for the money, complex yet eminently drinkable, but the latest version tastes like a pale imitation of the rich silken tastefest I’d gotten used to. I picked up a bottle springtime 2019 and it’s very ordinary compared to the last bottle I had. It’s by no means a bad whisky, but it’s no longer anything to gush about...it tastes like a £30 whisky, with some harsher notes that you might expect with a young whisky. What was once a multi-faceted yet smooth dram has become somewhat one-dimensional and ordinary, verging on boring! I hope I just picked up a lame bottle as this was once my go-to unpeated everyday malt.
Went into this one expecting a smokey peaty whisky, but was taken on a different journey not expected for an Isley. I was reward with fruit notes with a hint of smoke and an unexpected new favorite whisky.
I love this Bunnahabhain 12 years, a perfect dram on the palate and on the nose, an islay as bunnahabhain can give. Very very very good.
Nothing of Islay - and certainly NOTHING of a 12 year old. PreAdolescent mebbe. Not happy - but price in the afterthought not troubling.
Thanks to many of you for your reviews of this whisky. I ordered a bottle and tried last night and it's the best I've drank yet!! Just a very enjoyable dram. Definitely get the caramel in the taste, along with some Sherry and vanilla. The nose is very pleasant and really opens up with a little water. The finish is long with a touch of smoke mixed with dark fruits. A very enjoyable hour and a half spent with Bunnahabain, a book, wife and my dog last night.
