Bunnahabhain Mòine

This review is for the re-release of the Moine NAS from Bunnahabhain. This re-issue comes in at 46.3% ABV and not the near cask strength 59%. This is a peated Bunna and is pale gold and oily in the Glencairn. It also makes some heavy, watery droplets and thick, runny legs in the glass. The nose is predominantly chimney smoke and ripe, green apples. There’s a funky, sugary syrup flavor mingling in as well, with some charred oak and salty air qualities. The palate is salty and smoky, with green apples and pears dominating the flavor profile. A hint of fudge appears mid sip. The finish is long, hot and somewhat harsh. There’s chili pepper spice and light menthol notes that linger around once the sip is complete. Overall, it definitely seems young, spirit wise and the flavors don’t seem to meld as well as I had hoped. The smoke notes are fine, but don’t hold a candle to other Islay malts (obviously). While I’m glad that Bunnahabhain makes a peated whisky from time to time, part of me wishes they’d just let the experts on Islay do it and do it right. As is, this is a 2.75-3 star dram and I payed around $70 for this bottle. Not super expensive, but not really a great deal for what’s in the bottle, either. Stick to the regular peat distillers on Islay. Cheers.

So, I'll give this a go from memory (somewhat hazy due to the subject of the review itself) I'm new to scotch and smokey bottles in particular. Bought this one as a gift for my brother. Having just gotten into peaty whiskey myself, I tend to go for more burning fire wood type peatyness like Bowemore, and he, liking the tarred rope type peat, goes for Laphroaig stuff. I got this thinking it might be smoky enough for him to enjoy and perhaps a good next step for me to try (not hiding the fact that I wanted him to crack open the bottle right away! :) ) . So, whats the verdict? We both really liked it! The smoke and peat is forward, both at the nose and mouth, but its balanced with sweet honey, salmiak and vanilla once it hits the palette. The smoke felt more like fire wood and perhaps tobacco than tarred pirate boat. I did not get any medicinal hints, but perhaps some seawater. As far as I remember this one is more smoke forward than my old favourite Bowemore but thats not a bad thing. The Moine also had really nice sweet notes that (at least to me right now, 20 hours later) felt a bit less crass. This one was an excellent next step up the peat latter for me. I would like to have some more. It was way more layered than i expected, especially for the price point.

Strangely enough, Bunnahabhain core expressions haven't impressed me as much as their cask finishes and special bottlings. The Bunnahabhain Moine is an amazing peaty, yet winey dram that scores greatly in the most important criteria: deliciousness. Bottled at 46.3%abv, it has a pale gold color. On the nose: As soon as you open the bottle, you get this beautiful perfumed peat. Milk chocolate, very very Winey, very Grapey. Heathery peat, thick vanilla. Very sweet with puffs of smoke. Amazing. On the palate, it is a little straightforward, but delicious. First you get this winey sensation infused with pepper. Grapes, Vanilla, marshmallows. It has a very rewarding aftertaste. Medium long, with this grapey / peppery overall finish. Overall this whisky is very balanced, very sweet, with a winey profile that stands over the mild peatiness that this dram offers you. My score for it is a solid, well deserved 92 over 100.

Nose: Heavy charcoal peat smoke dominates, but there's also fruit (pear and green apple) and a chocolate note. Taste: Viscous for 46.3% abv and smoke smoke smoke! As it develops the apple along with a hint of chocolate-covered cherry come in. Finish: Medium, with a oak, smoke char, peat smoke, chocolate, raisin and slight nuttiness. On the tail end is a sour funkiness I can't quite describe but isn't very pleasant. Value: $65 USD; overpriced for what you get. Final Thoughts: Glad I got to try this unique NAS pour from Bunnahabhain, but compared to other peated single malts at the price point, this one fades in the face of the competition. It's got a bit of that classic Bunna profile but it's youth is evident. Score: 3/5 Try or buy at a good price Cheers to @LeeEvolved for sharing this sample with me!

Pulling this rating up a bit from its ludicrous low. It’s a good young peaty scotch. Heat and phenols linger for awhile. Very salty and earthy on the nose and palate. I’d been jonesing for some peat and this most certainly scratched that itch. Enjoyed neat. Will try a splash of water to see what happens.

Note, this is for the current Moine. This is a nice, balanced Islay whisky. I was impressed given that Bunnahabhain usually does unpeated expressions. It features smoke, seasalt, medicinal notes and a bit of tar on the nose. Similar notes on the palate, but sweeter than one might expect. Good stuff.