Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2023 Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
"...a damn good dram ... Profile-wise, this sits somewhere between the 2021 and the 2022. Quality-wise, though, this is on-par with the 2022... " - dramface.com
Only a minority of whisky lovers will ever make the pilgrimage to Islay. For those who do, Bunnahabhain's remote location in the far north east means it's often last on the list - one reason why the distillery started to bottle this little gem several years ago. The annual cask strength editions give people from around the world a chance to experience unpeated, all-natural Bunnah' without having to travel. The 2023 edition is the third release to date, landing at a significantly higher ABV than its predecessors, retaining a full spectrum of flavours partly derived from time in Oloroso sherry casks. According to the distillery, it delivers a fruitier profile boasting notes of stone fruits and figs with the spices less prominent on the finish. Like the previous two releases, it comes bottled without chill filtration. 60.1% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... "In discussions of Islay drams Bunnahabhain is sometimes categorized as a lighter spirit compared to the island’s other distillates since it is usually unpeated (but does of course make some peated malt). This dram clearly shows why that’s largely mistaken; this distillate is substantial, oily, and heavy. There’s a reason why it stands up so well to heavy sherry maturation: the spirit can handle it... This is a damn good dram ... Profile-wise, this sits somewhere between the 2021 and the 2022. Quality-wise, though, this is on-par with the 2022... Some sherry qualities such as cinnamon and sweet fruits, but right off the bat you can tell that this isn’t a repeat of last year’s 2022 release. The sherried qualities are balanced by some wood and malty notes. The high ABV clearly comes through on the nose but not quite as much as the hefty 60.1% would lead you to believe. Booze-soaked hazelnuts stored in an oak box. A distant coastal salty quality. There’s a notable earthy quality to this as well that also sets it apart from the 2022. Sitting in the glass a while, and a few drops of water, brings out some light floral notes...It’s heavy, it’s sherried but by no means a sherry bomb, it’s complex, and its different dimensions are nicely balanced against each other to create a sensory equilibrium that allows accessible exploration of different facets of the house spirit. There’s plenty for me to explore here all evening in this one dram. For me, that’s pretty close to the definition of a satisfying dram, and it’s one of the better Bunnahabhains I’ve tried." - Drummond Dunmore, Dramface
Notes from the producers... Nose: Floral and nutty with notes of marzipan, hazelnut, almond cream and morello cherries. Palate: Roasted nuts and spice lead the way with cinnamon and cloves fading to reveal soft notes of butterscotch, toffee, sultanas and a gentle hint of coffee. Finish: Lingering notes of cloves, hazelnut and cocoa.