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