Whisky: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
Producer: Distell Group
Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Whisky Type: Single Malt Scotch
Region: Islay
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46.3%
Cask: ex-bourbon, ex-sherry
Price Range: $$

Bunnahabhain (Pronounced Bunn-na-ha-venn) means “mouth of the river” in Scot Gaelic. It is the most remote distillery on Islay on the shores of the Sound of Islay. The distillery is known for its sweet, salty, delicate, and balanced style that stands out among its more robust peated-style neighbors.

The distillery was founded in 1881 by William Robertson and brothers James and William Greenless. The Edrington group purchased it in 1999 and sold it to Burn Stewart in 2003.

In 2013 the Burn Stewart owner’s, Trinidad-based conglomerate CL Financial went bankrupt and creditors sold Burn Stewart to a South American distributor Distell.

Distillery Information

• The distillery draws spring water from the Margadale river that arrives unpeated via pipes.
• Use of unpeated and peated concerto barley. About 20% of its production is peated whiskies.
• Fermentation is long. Up to 100 hours to draw fruit flavors.
• Tall swan necks from the stills allow the distillery to produce a light and delicate flavor profile.
• Spirits still have the capacity to produce 2.5 million liters a year.
• The distillery uses both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The latter is used in a higher proportion.

The core range includes:

• Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dha. A second release of a peated version of the distillery with no age statement. Pronounced “toch tach” meaning “Smoky” in Scot Gaelic.
• Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair. A first and second fill ex-sherry malt with no age statement. Pronounced “stew-rahdur”, meaning “helmsman” in Scot Gaelic.
• Bunnahabhain 12. In 1979 the distillery launched this expression, and it has become since then the benchmark for the distillery style.
• Bunnahabhain 18. Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry. Matured for 18 years.
• Bunnahabhain 25. Matured in ex-sherry casks.
• Bunnahabhain 30. Matured in ex-sherry casks.
• Bunnahabhain 40. The oldest expression of the core range and the most collectible.

Tasting Notes for Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

Nose: Fruity, vanilla, and raisins aromas.

Palate: A classic raisin note with cinnamon, chocolate, vanilla, ginger, and a dry sensation. The fruit flavors linger in the mid-palate. Delicate and balanced. The sherry slightly dominates the palate, but not by much.

Finish: Short to medium. Syrupy and with accentuated sherry influence.

Conclusion: A nice unpeated entry-level single malt for those willing to explore the beauty of Islay malts. The sherry and bourbon flavors are balanced, and the delivery is sweet, fruity, and delicate. I would recommend this malt to anyone willing to give Single Malt Scotch Whisky a try at an affordable price. Slainte!

Score: 4/5⭐

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Legend

$50 or less $
$51-$100 $$
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