Bunnahabhain 12 Year Cask Strength (2022 Edition)

The Bunnahabhain distillery shop is Islay’s candy store, with dozens of different blends and single casks available in a variety of bottle sizes. I somehow managed to restrict myself to just two 3cl samples when I visited in June, one of which was this latest release of the cask strength 12. It’s important to note that this is a different cask recipe to the regular 12, with just a small percentage of bourbon barrels. It announces itself as something special as soon as your pour it, a golden honey syrup that swirls lusciously in the glass. The aromas are beguiling: rich raisins soaking in syrup with a dash of Cointreau and a hint of aromatic wood akin to a cedar plank. An initial burst of pepper in the mouth gives way to jammy flavors and notes of marinated blood oranges. The medium-dry finish riffs on orange marmalade (not the bitter kind) accompanied by a dusting of nutmeg. The mouthfeel is luxurious, with a silkiness that makes it go down easy despite the strength. Put simply, it’s delicious, an indulgent desert with just enough complexity to make it interesting.

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Whisky Tasting, 19 November 2022). Nose: Dried fruit, dark chocolate cherries, baking spices Palate: Dried fruit, stewed apple, cloves, cinnamon, salt/saline, caramel sauce, chocolate. Nutty & woody dryness. Christmas cake. Finish: Long finish. Salted caramel, cocoa, chocolate, cherries, nutmeg, sherry. Ex-bourbon and (mostly) ex-Oloroso sherry casks Unctuous, full-bodied and sherried. Toffee and dried fruit with a well balanced sweetness. Christmassy. Complex, layered and well integrated. This is a cracker of a dram! Came second out of the six drams, with 20% of the final vote for favourite of the night. 83% of those present said they enjoyed the whisky. This got my vote for favourite of the tasting.

Nose: Vanilla, Dark Stewed Fruits, Salinity, Malty Cream, Demerara Syrup, Raisin, Pepper, Toffee, Toast. Palate: Coa-coa, Spice, Light Brine, Full oily body, Sweet Dried Fruits, Toffee, Mild Oak Tannins, Candy Orange Citrus. Great whisky, it takes a minute to open up, but being patient with this dram is well worth it. It is a bit abrasive at first and gives the robustness of a cask strength whisky. Lots of Spice, Coa-coa and Pepper on the front. Once you get through the spices though you get a burst of sweeter notes. Toffe, Vanilla, Dark Fruits, Sweet Orange-Citrus, and mild oak tannins round out the whisky.

There are not many contemporary releases worth chasing, but this cask strength Bunnahabhain is a notable exception. On the nose, prunes, almonds and earthy sherry notes are complemented by bitter chocolate, tobacco and currants. Very inviting and layered. The rich arrival is bursting with dark fruits, toffee and cocoa, while nutmeg, mint and hints of salt develop mid-palate. Sublime mouthfeel. Slightly dry oak, roasted coffee and eucalyptus remain in the prolonged aftertaste. An adorable sherry bomb, I can only quote Ralfy: What an absolute joy! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

Tasted in a James Bentley double walled glass, neat. The nose shows the sherry influence immediately with dark stone fruits and raisins. The longer it sits, the greater the influence. There seems to be a bit of brine and pepper as well. The palate is pepper, baking spice especially clove. The sherry notes lead to plum and dark cherry. The brine also follows the nose. The finish is long and a little dry. Im not detecting a sweet note. What I am getting is long, old-charred wood with slight hints of rhubarb and more pepper. A truly great dram!

Nose: Dark chocolate, raisins, heather and honey, maple syrup Palate: Not hot, oily, well balanced, front forward zing, sour and bitter ending Finish: Long with slight cereal notes Comments: This is quite a banger if you love this style. Still prefer some peaty goodness over this light floral dram.