Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2023 Edition Single Malt Whisky Review

Located in the North/northeast of Islay is the very picturesque distillery on Bunnahabhain which means in gaelic the foot of the river which is accurate as the distillery and the village are located at the foot of the Margadale river.

The distillery was built in 1881 and the village was built to house the distillery workers.

It’s not a huge distillery with a capacity of around 3.8. million LPA per year and it’s a little unusual in Islay as it predominantly makes an unpeated spirit. You can get peated Bunna’s known as Moine for official bottlings of Stoisha for unofficial, independent bottlings.

The distillery is known for it’s well sherried offerings and often special releases are matured or finished in fortified wine casks or wine casks of some type. 

In 2023 the distillery changed ownership again with CVH spirits taking over the reigns from Distell along with the Deanston and Tobermory distilleries.

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2023.       60.1% abv/120.2 proof

Islay Single Malt - unpeated

NC/NCF.    $76.99/£60.25/€73 – regular price $110/£85/€98

Nose: Fudge & vanilla extract. Barley Sugar, dried apricots, hazelnuts (candied) and a coastal salinity. Linseed oil. Old wood & musty leather. Rancio. Burnt pineapples & clementines. (No alcohol burn)

Water brings out salted caramel, heather honey and dark dried fruit of dates and raisins.

Palate: Amazingly well integrated for the abv. Oily and chewy. Grilled pineapples & peaches, dried apricot & maraschino cherry. Those candied hazelnuts are joined by flaked almonds and all butter pastries. Mulled wine spice mix – cinnamon, anise, clove with orange peel and brown sugar. Milk chocolate, raisins, leather and sea salt.

Water highlights more sherried fruit notes and Christmas cake.

Finish: Long with sherry, salt, malt and tropical fruit.

Score: 8 out of 10

Overall: Again not a complete sherry bomb. The Bunna fruitiness shines through and is backed up with extra layers of complexity from the sherry casks. For the price I’ve paid it’s really a 9 as it’s super value for money at that price even though it’s 100% worth its original asking price.

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