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.
One of the most tasteful of the 12-year old single malts. Sweet, caramel, hint of smoke, oak. Well matured and rich!!! Yummy!
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.
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.
Oops, forgot to add star rating - 5* of course :)
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!
