Bunnahabhain 12-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review & Tasting Notes

 

When you think of Islay Scotch, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is smokey, peated whiskies. A peated whisky is made by burning peat moss during the barley’s malting process, and the smoke permeates the barley and is carried through to the final product.

 

Then, there’s Bunnahabhain, which bucks the Islay trend. Oh, it does produce peated whisky, but two-thirds of what it does make is unpeated. Bunnahabhain was founded in 1861 against the Sound of Islay. It was initially named Islay Distillery Co., Ltd. In 1887, it merged with W. Grant & Co. and Glenrothes-Glenlivit to form the Highland Distilleries Co., Ltd. and became a powerhouse of sorts in Scotch whisky. The distillery is currently part of the Distell portfolio.

 

Interestingly, the distillery could only get supplies in (and send whiskey out) via the sea. The distillery established the Village of Bunnahabhain to accommodate its staff. It remained isolated for 100 years until a usable road was constructed. Shipping and road traffic were used in tango until 1993, when the final shipment departed by sea.

 

The distillery does not possess a malting floor. Instead, it sources its malted barley from Port Ellen Maltings on the island's south side. Some of what Bunnahabhain produces goes into blends such as Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse. But, it is primarily known for its range of single malt Scotches.

 

Bunnahabhain 12 has been the brand’s entry-level core expression since 1979. Distilled from a mash of 100% malted barley, it is non-chill filtered, naturally-colored, and aged for at least a dozen years in both ex-sherry casks and ex-Bourbon barrels and packaged at 46.3% ABV (92.6°). Bunnahabhain 12 is easy to find, and you can expect to shell out about $65.00 for a 750ml bottle.

 

I procured a 50ml sample from Ace Spirits in Hopkins, MN. Now, let’s #DrinkCurious and explore this whisky further.

 

Appearance: I sipped this whisky neat in a Glencairn glass. It appeared brassy and formed a fragile rim on the wall. Fat, slow tears crawled down into the pool.

 

Nose: The aroma was a fruity blast of apple, pear, citrus, and peach, joined with honey, malt, cocoa powder, and vanilla. When I inhaled through my lips, honey and apple rolled across my tongue.

 

Palate: This Scotch had a thin, oily texture that was soft on my mouth. The front of my palate encountered cocoa powder, apple, and raisin, while the middle tasted of malt, almond, and orange peel. Flavors of butterscotch, pepper, and oak formed the back.

 

Finish: There was the slightest wisp of smoke, but vanilla, orange, cocoa, and pepper quickly overwhelmed it. Medium-to-long in duration, there was no medicinal or Band-Aid quality to be found.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Bunnahabhain 12 is simply stunning. It will make you question if this is an entry-level single malt as you keep sipping and losing yourself in the experience. It is a whisky you will savor, and while it teases the upper end of what 12-year Scotches should cost, you’ll be happy that you bought a Bottle. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.