Bunnahabhain 18 Year

“Bunnahabhain & Friends” tasting at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 15 June 2022. Whisky #3 Nose: Substantial aromas of sherry, raisin, nuts, dried mixed citrus peel, plums, figs and cinnamon. An elegant and mature oak fragrance as of old waxed oak furniture fills in all the spare corners and there is a very faint waft of coal or wood smoke. I noted more sandalwood and lighter fruit aromas than in previous batches. A few drops of water do no harm but are not required. Palate: The arrival is soft and measured but builds to become a commanding presence with very fine texture. Mixed stewed fruit, some well-contained baking spices, chocolate, salted caramel and tobacco. The spice notes become a little warmer over time and black pepper and hot cinnamon are apparent, but the profile never loses balance. The texture becomes chewier as tannins come into play but once again balance is maintained by the presence of some foundation dark sugar. Finish: Medium/long. Dark fruit, leather and chocolate are the lingering tastes. One of my favourite whiskies. I loved it immediately on first tasting it many years ago, but it wasn’t until @Soba45 sent me a tasting sample in 2020 that I became reacquainted with it and remembered what I had been missing. That particular sample (probably from a 2017 or 2018 batch) was arguably the best the whisky has ever been, and I enthusiastically rated it at 5 stars here [note: my review of it appears below]. This current tasting is of a late 2021 batch and although it is still impressive, in comparison to batches from a few years ago it is a little lacking in refinement. Nevertheless, for me it was still the second-best thing we tasted on the night, far eclipsing the other three Bunnahabhains on the card. All those (the 2022 Feis Ile Abhainn Araig, the 12 year old cask strength and the Aonadh 10 year old) exhibited obvious youthful harshness and tasting this superior whisky was a blessed relief. The price is unfortunately starting to climb but it remains a must-taste dram for any enthusiast. “Very Good” : 87/100 (4.25 stars) ----------------------------------------------------------- Original Distiller reviewed, posted April 24, 2020 Nose: A welcoming, enfolding cloak of sherry and oak wraps around you as you deeply inhale the aromas of a faultless Christmas cake. Dark malt, dried fruit and sweet roasted nuts (hazelnut and toasted almond) with rich leather aromas. There's a sly note of lemon zest in the background as well as a reminiscence of smoke and waxed furniture, but it's not like a typical "smoky" whisky. This is like sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold night where 99% of the fumes are combusting and just a skerrick of smoke escapes to your nostrils. As it continues to unfold minty notes and caramel toffee emerge. [The dry-glass aroma is fruitcake with a hint of charcoal]. Palate: The taste of liquified oloroso sherry cask, chocolate toffee, sweet tobacco and fruitcake. Deep, resounding and malty with a texture that is creamy, chewy and perfectly balanced between sweetness and astringincy. It arrives dry and spicy but sweet fruity notes, vanilla and warming muscovado sugar instantly spring forth to provide equilibrium. There is the tiniest hint of salt and it coats the mouth with ecstasy. Finish: Very long. The warming, dense sweet malt character subsides slowly into a sweet oak aftertaste. This is a magnificently expressive whisky. It's some years since I last tasted it - why have I waited so long? The progression from the malty arrival through to the oaky aftertaste is a joy every time. The nose is similar to old Glenfarclas but the palate is less austere. This whisky fairly flings itself out of the glencairn into your face with joie de vivre. There's very little more to say. It really is a desert island dram and you need to taste this whisky at least once on your journey (and you may well decide not to continue but just settle down with an 18 year old Bunny - ahem). It's one of those excellent drams that always leaves you thinking "why do I bother drinking anything else?". Many thanks to @Soba45 for sending me the tasting sample, and reminding me of what I'd forgotten. I've just this moment tried to order a bottle but alas, there is none in the country. Please Bunnahabhain, send us another allocation. "Outstanding" : 90/100 (5 stars) [AUD$250 in 2020] -----------------------------------------------------------

Thar be a tale on a pirate ship in sail, of a cabin boy's wish to be a seaman prevail. 'Welp!' the captain said to thee, 'yer nar but a sea gull amongst the albatross. If seaman you wish to be, then a bottle of Bunny 18 for me!' Thus my quest began, with regular Google searches for months on end. Nowhere in the 50 states, was there a reasonable deal to had. Until one day, a store in Jersey City appeared on the map. One week and 2,800 miles later, tin and all, the bottle was delivered - quite handsome, none too tall. N: Aromas of butterscotch and brown sugar, alluringly balanced and nested in a sherry envelope. Peck away at the glass, and you're rewarded with hints of cherries and even citrus, emerging from the oak. P: The progression in the palate is best captured by @cascode as, "It arrives dry and spicy" with the sweet notes later providing "equilibrium". (His review here provides the best flavor profile and helped guide my palate experience.) Supple, long-aged sherry, toffee, sweet tobacco and fruitcake with an intense mouthfeel. (This is almost a quote verbatim.) After successive tipples, the palate further unveils oranges, chocolate milk, and a chewy nuttiness. F: Surprisingly long finish of dried red and citrus fruits. The texture is a tad leathery, but that is a welcome addition - proof that this is a mature expression and worth every sip. The finish just lingers on and on. What a journey! Not too dynamic - the bandwidth of contrasts is narrower than say the Ardbeg Oogie or Lag 16 - but everything in the palate works well together to offer a scotch that is sweetly complex and delightful. Indeed, I'm eagerly awaiting further development as it oxidizes with time. After the first dram, I stood up and shook my fist at the bottle, and to paraphrase @Soba45, I exclaimed, 'I know who you are, Bunny 18! You are here to destroy my liver!'

BUNNAHABHAIN SHOWDOWN Bunnahabhain 13 Year Marsala Finish Bunnahabhain 18 Year My experience with Bunnahabhain is limited to the 12 year and the two bottles here. I’ve not had either in some time. While I’ve always liked the 18, I recall not caring for the 13 year marsala finish. Let’s see how this goes. Bunnahabhain 13 Year Marsala Finish Clear dark orange amber color. Notes of honey, biscuity blueberry scone, pine rosin, coffee. There’s an unexpected (to me) raspberry or lingonberry note as well. There’s some dates on the palate, as well as a touch of bitterness (this is what I recall not caring for when I last tasted it two to three years ago), finishing with some spiciness that leads to brown sugar and vanilla. Limited release exclusively for the US market. Non chill filtered; no statement about coloring (though it is slightly lighter than the Bunny 18 which does not have added coloring). Aged for 10 years in ex-bourbon casks, followed by three years in marsala wine casks. 46.3% ABV. While there are different notes and flavors, it is more interesting than it is complex: there are still aspects of this whisky that I cannot quite elucidate after 30 minutes of nosing and tasting, and it comes across as a little disjointed. 3.5 on the Distiller scale. Bunnahabhain 18 Year Clear, orange mahogany color; slightly darker than the Bunny 13. There is a tangy, barbeque sauce quality on the nose (think Heinz 57), dried speck, oak, dark toffee, dates, and some sherry sweetness. More sherry on the palate, with espresso and some noticeable ethanol. The BBQ twang makes a brief cameo on the finish as well, with lingering vanilla sweetness. Non chill filtered; no added coloring. Aged in ex-sherry casks. 46.3% ABV. Very nice. 4.0 on the Distiller scale.

This one has been on my list for something to try for a long time. Gratefully I have a brother that was kind enough to provide me a sample from his bottle to try. On the nose, there’s a rich sherry quality to this one with golden raisins, peaches, oranges, apricots, leading to a rich caramel, old polished oak, dark maple syrup, candied cinnamon almonds, a meaty quality - not Islay smoked meats but more like a bacon jam, and ocean sea salt. The taste starts with a sherry richness with creamy maple syrup mouthfeel and a hint of ocean sea salt before leading to a rich caramel with fruits of orange, raisin, peaches, a dark chocolate with pieces of candied bacon, cinnamon almonds, barrel spices with cracked black pepper and medium oak tannins in the background and the finish is long and lingers with the sherry flavors of golden raisins, caramel, smooth oakiness, and black pepper spice. I just had the Bunnahabhain 25 not that long ago and where that one was very polished, it was much softer and more refined than this. But I actually like this one more as there is a lot going on and the flavors come on strong, where the 25 is more subtle. I’ve heard other people say that some of the best Islay whisky is usually in the teens and I feel the same way since most Islay whisky drinkers aren’t looking for a soft and delicate spirit, but more of a powerhouse of flavor. This one is also a much better VFM at $140 compared to the massive price of the 25 at over $700.

Nose: dried fruits in dark syrup, liquid malt, cocoa, sweet cough juice, mint, sour blood oranges, apricots, raisins, milk chocolate, cold tea, fresh autumn leaves, an open old book / old paper, dry exotic spices, caramelized nuts - a fantasticly balanced mix, rich and powerful Palate: ground coffee / roasted wood, cereal with dehydrated berries, citrus, a little bitter dried fruits (dates but not as sweet) Finish: oak forward and slightly smoky (not peaty but more like cask-char), dry orchard fruits, I had this whisky before as a sample about a year ago. And I knew that I had to get a bottle sometimes. Then it was sold out for many months and as soon as they were restocked I pulled the trigger. This is simply a very nice whisky. Easy to drink but very exiting and flavorful. A lot to discover in the wide palette of flavors and aromas. It is rich and deep and “dark”. Extremely well put together and balanced. I love it. A great whisky to share because it feels like it can be enjoyed by a wide range of whisky lovers.

I've got three bottles of Bunny (12 yr, 13 yr Marsala finish, 18 yr), and I don't drink it too often. The 13-yr Marsala finish is odd to me; the 12 yr is not too differentiated. But I'm rethinking my position on the 18 yr. After savoring and reviewing the Glendronach Allardice 18-Year, I wanted to try another 18-yr-old expression, and found this one. Better than my previous review (8/22/22). I still get that Heinz 57 note (though more subdued). Demerara sugar, cured meat, cocoa powder, chocolate-covered cherries, salt. There's a subtle smokiness that could be interpreted as light peat, but this is unseated. Pipe tobacco and leather on the finish. More elegant and subdued than the Glendro 18 that preceded it. Would I buy again? It's not cheap at $200+, but I'd like to think I would. No e150a coloring. Non chill filtered. 46.3% ABV.