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.
A beautiful dram
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.
