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.
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.
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%.
Sweet and hint of liqourice root. Warm and comforting
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.
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.
