The Whiskyphiles

Bunnahabhain

bunnahabhain-distillery
  • Founded: 1881
  • Status: Operational
  • Region: Islay, Scotland – Port Askaig, Islay, Argyll PA46 7RP +44(0)1496840646
  • Online: https://bunnahabhain.com/
bunnahabhain-12-year-old-whisky

History The word ‘Bunnahabhain’ means river mouth. Bunnahabhain was build in 1881 by the Greenless Brothers. After the distillery was set up a small town formed around the distillery. In 2003 the distillery was bought by Burn Stewart Distillers and is active today.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling

  • Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old 2008 Mòine (2018) – Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured whisky review: A powerful, full-bodied, peated and earthen Bunnahabhain, sweetened by the use of the wine casks but also enhanced with dried fruit and tannins complementing the darker coffee and chocolate notes too. Reminded me of tart and earthy elderberries. 90/100
  • bunnahabhain-12-year-old-whisky Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old (2013) – Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old (46.3%, OB, 2011) Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain distillery Bottling: Distell ABV: 46.3% Cosy: £37.98 What they say: Bunnahabhain is not a typical, heavily peated, smoke-filled Islay – instead it  lets  the sea and the island’s nature speak naturally. This welcoming taste embodies the approachable side of Islay. […]
  • Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old (2021) – Something about the caramel, nut and chocolate combination enhanced by a sprinkle of smoked sea salt adding that depth and richness means Bunnahbhain is so moreish for me. I still rate this as one of the best 12 year old whiskies.
  • Bunnahabhain 20 Years Old 1997 Palo Cortado Finish (2018) – Bunnahbhain 20 Years Old 1997 Palo Cortado Finish whisky review: A delightful expression, plenty of sweet vanilla suggest plenty of ex-Bourbon maturation before the final Palo Cortado finish. I loved this plenty of buttery nut and coffee notes but without too much of the chocolate that can come from PX or occasionally Oloroso casks. An expression well-deserving of being the pinnacle of Distell’s 2018 limited releases. 93/100
  • Bunnahabhain-Darach-Ur-Batch-5-single-malt-scotch-whisky Bunnahabhain Darach Ur Batch 5 (2013) – Bunnahabhain Darach Ur [Batch #5] (46.3%, OB, 2011) NAS, 46.3% ABV RRP £39.99  Score 76/100 What they say: Darach Ùr (pronounced Dar-ach oor) means ‘New Oak’ in Scots Gaelic and is named after the new oak barrels used to mature this perfectly balanced mix of Bunnahabhain single malts. Darach Ùr is a limited edition compendium […]
  • Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2021: Marsala Cask Finish 2001 (2021) – At cask strength this is rich but a touch on the spicy side for me, with water this mellows into more buttery caramel. A great example of Bunnahabhain’s fruity distillate pairing well with Marsala wine finishing
  • Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2021: Moine Bordeaux Finish 2013 (2021) – Deliciously decadent, a smoke and red wine marriage, borders at times on a little inkiness which could be enhanced by the youth of the spirit here which brings so much power to that smoke. Later it is sweet dry and nutty and still delicious.
  • Bunnahabhain Rubha a mhail Bunnahabhain Rubha a’ Mhail Feis Ile 2015 (2016) – Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old 2004 Rubha a’ Mhail (57.4%, OB, Feis Ile 2015, Manzanilla Casks #550 & 554, 1200 Bottles, 2015) Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain Distillery Bottling: Distell ABV: 57.4% Cost: £150 What they say: Bunnahabhain Rubha a’ Mhail was distilled in 2004 and aged in Spanish Manzanilla sherry butts, #550 […]
  • Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair (2020) – Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair Whisky Review: When I originally opened this I think I found it quite youthful/spirity and a little over-spiced, however after some time in the bottle and allowed to breathe a little I have come away with a much greater appreciation of this whisky. It is in fact very well constructed with a great mix of oily, buttery caramel and rich spice, fruit and nut sherry influence. It really is a classic Bunnahabhain with that wonderful spirit character you either love (like me) or hate. 84/100
Independent Bottling
Abbey Whisky
  • Bunnahabhain 23 Years Old 1989 The Rare Casks Release 2 (Abbey Whisky) (2013) – Bunnahabhain 23 Years Old 1989 The Rare Casks Release 2 (44%, Abbey Whisky, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 96 bottles, 2013) 96 bottles @ 44% ABV, distilled 1989, bottled 2013, £72.95 for 70cl Score 90/100 What They say: The 2nd release in ‘The Rare Casks’ series by Abbey Whisky has arrived and it’s only right that we […]
Claxton’s
  • bunnahabhain-14-year-old-2002-claxtons-whisky Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2002 The Single Cask (2017) – Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2002 The Single Cask (51.6%, Claxton’s, HH #1607-3185, 305 Bottles, 2016) Whisky Review Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain Distillery Bottling: Claxton’s ABV: 51.6% Cost: £80.82 What they say: This single cask bottling has distinctive nutty flavours synonymous with the Bunnahabhain distillery style. However, 14 years of maturation in […]
Duncan Taylor
  • Bunnahabhain 2008 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Bunnahabhain 2008 Post-Octave (2018) – Bunnahabhain 2008 Post-Octave whisky review: A massive improvement again on the original cask, some of the spices still carry through but appear mostly on the finish here. 83/100
  • Bunnahabhain 2008 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Bunnahabhain 2008 Pre-Octave (2018) – Bunnahabhain 2008 Pre-Octave whisky review: Initially pleasant, this dram develops spirity spice and sourness all over, a few drops of water calmed it down a little but salted & sour oak wood prevail. After a lot more water, creamy vanilla. 72/100
Gordon & MacPhail
  • bunnahabhain-8-year-old-the-macphails-collection-gordon-and-macphail-whisky Bunnahabhain 8 Year Old The MacPhail’s Collection (2016) – Bunnahabhain 8 Year Old The MacPhail’s Collection (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, Heavily Peated, 2016) Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain Distillery Bottling: Gordon & MacPhail – The MacPhail’s Collection ABV: 43% Cost: £30.25 Score: 83/100 What they say: The MacPhail’s Collection from Bunnahabhain Distillery Peated 8 Years Old, Strength 43% COLOUR Pale Gold. […]
  • Bunnahabhain-11-Year-Old-Discovery-GM Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old Discovery (2018) – Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old Discovery Islay single malt Scotch whisky review: A lot more balanced – of course, classic Gordon & MacPhail’s pairing of spirit and cask. I’d have loved much more sherry influence, but this excels in its balance. A rather reminiscent nose led to initially quite closed palate, but given time it opens up to its own wonders. This is the sort of dram you could drink all night and keep finding new flavours.  85/100
Lady of the Glen
  • Bunnahabhain-9yo-2009-LOTG-2020-1 Bunnahabhain 9 Years Old 2009 Cask 901203 (2020) – Bunnahabhain vintage 2009 Sherry Hogshead whisky review: A delicious sherry-matured Bunnahabhain the retains an orange oil zestiness from youth but with plenty of well-developed sherry influences too. 88/100
Lockett Bros
  • bunnahabhain-23-years-old-bass-lb Bunnahabhain 23 Years Old 1991 Bass (2016) – Bunnahabhain 23 Years Old 1991 Bass (49.3%, Lockett Bros, Sherry HH #5420, 150 Bottles, 2015) Whisky Review Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain distillery Bottling: Morrison & Mackay for Lockett Bros ABV: 49.3% Cost: £95 What they say: A spectacular Bunnahabhain 23yo Single Sherry Cask #5420 bottled at natural cask strength 49.3% ABV. What […]
  • Bunnahabhain 24 Year Old 'Bass' Bunnahabhain 24 Years Old 1989 Bass (2014) – Bunnahabhain 24 Year Old 1989 Bass (43.1%, Lockett Bros, HH #5721, 2013) 43.1% ABV, £79.99 Score: 91/100 What they say: An astonishing 24 year old single cask Bunnahabhain, bottled for our latest in our series of Island bottlings. Expect an incredible depth of flavour and complexity from this old beauty. Distilled 20/10/1989, Bottled 4/11/2013 from […]
Murray McDavid
  • Murray McDavid - Mission Gold - Bunnahabhain 36yo 1978 Bunnahabhain 36 Years Old 1978 Mission Gold (2015) – Bunnahabhain 36 Years Old 1978 Mission Gold Limited Release (50.4%, Murray McDavid, Bourbon Barrel + Willi Opiz Dessert Wine Cask #1, 269 Bottles, 2015) Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain Distillery Bottling: Murray McDavid – Mission Gold ABV: 50% Cost: £TBA Score: 92/100 What they say: Mission Gold BUNNAHABHAIN 1978 Autumn 2015 By […]
Robert Graham
  • bunnahabhain-25-year-old-1989-treasurers-selection-robert-graham Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old 1989 Treasurer Selection (2017) – Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old 1989 Treasurer’s Selection (47%, Robert Graham, Cask #5802, 228 Bottles, 2014) Whisky Review Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain Distillery Bottling: Robert Graham; Treasurer’s Selection ABV: 47% Cost: £175 What they say: Region: Islay Age: 25 year old Distilled: 1989 Bottled: October 2014 Cask number: 5802 Limited to 228 bottles […]
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
  • SMWS Cask 10.108 Yin and Yang SMWS 10.108 Yin and Yang (2018) – SMWS 10.108 Yin and Yang Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review: Definitely young but with some interest, a complexity that seems to be mostly spirit-driven, with lots of shellfish, brine, sweet and smoky influences but also a mineralic character and soapy texture – perhaps an indication of the wood tinkering. Pretty good whisky all in but I suspect it may have been a lot better un-tinkered and matured a little (or a lot) longer. 84/100
  • 10.118_Strip_1024x1024 SMWS 10.118 Enthralling pink and peat intensity (2020) – SMWS 10.118 Enthralling pink and peat intensity Whisky Review: A lovely mixture of sweet port influence and smoke. I was worried the palate at cask strength may have been a little overpowering but actually the sweet and peat aren’t too much. A nice earthy/turfy influence grounds this whole whisky while gentle spices fizz in the background. A pleasant surprise, a wonderful nose sets the standard for a great dram throughout. 87/100
  • SMWS 10.141 Indulgence by the sea SMWS 10.141 Indulgence by the sea (2018) – SMWS 10.141 Indulgence by the sea whisky review: Sweet, fruity and spicy, fizzy and a little waxy, quite an unusual cask this one with plenty of bite. With a mix of salt and sweet this reminded me a lot cookie dough. 85/100
  • bunnahabhain-2005-9-year-old-smws-10-83 SMWS 10.83 Incredibly awesome! (2016) – Bunnahabhain 9 Years Old 2003 10.83 Incredibly awesome! (58.8%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 192 Bottles, 2015) Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Bunnahabhain Distillery Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society; cask 10.83 ABV: 58.8% Cost: £63.40 What they say: Cask 10.83 Incredibly Awesome! Smoked eel, creamy mustard and burnt honey glazed parsnips on the nose […]
Signatory
  • Bunnahabhain 16 Years Old 1997 Cask Strength Collection (2014) – Bunnahabhain 16 Years Old 1997 Heavily Peated 5512 (50.3%, Signatory, Heavily Peated, HH #5512, 285 Bottles, 2014) 50.3% ABV, £79.95 Score: 84/100 What they say: Distilled on 11/12/1997 and matured in a single hogshead cask #5512 this produced 285 bottles on outturn on 09/05/2014. Tasting notes from the RMW staff Nose: Heavy and rich with a […]
That Boutique-Y Whisky Company
  • bunnahabhain-11-year-old-batch-5-that-boutiquey-whisky-company-whisky Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old Batch 9 (2018) – Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old Batch 5 whisky review: A rather frustrating Bunna, full of that delicious funky mustiness on the nose but just a little light on the palate and peppery in the finish that doesn’t really know what to do with itself. Still a classic Bunna so I still kinda like it. 84/100
  • Bunnahabhain Batch 1 (2015) – Bunnahabhain Batch 1 (46.1%, That Boutique-Y Whisky Company, 233 Bottles, 2013) Islay single malt scotch whisky 46.1% ABV, £36 for 50cl Score: 89/100 What they say: This is the first batch of delicious Bunnahabhain single malt from That Boutique-y Whisky. The whisky is rich and fruity with a hint of peat, and the graphic-novel-style label […]