Bunnahabhain 12 Years

Bunnahabhain sits on Islay’s rugged north eastern coast and is known for a style that is usually unpeated, which feels almost rebellious on Islay. The 12 Years is their classic house profile in a nutshell: maritime, nutty and softly sweet, with sherry influence adding roundness and depth. Expect an elegant Islay with sea salt, dried fruit, nuts and creamy malt.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh and saline with sea air and a light mineral note. Then dried apricot, raisins and orange peel, followed by toasted nuts, vanilla and a hint of toffee. Soft and layered throughout, with no peat dominance.

Palate

Full and rounded with malty sweetness, caramel and nutty notes of almond and walnut. The sherry influence brings dried fruit and a lightly chocolatey edge, while coastal salinity and a touch of spice add tension.

Finish

Medium length and warming with lingering nuts, gentle sherried sweetness and a drier, lightly saline close.

Bunnahabhain Distillery

Bunnahabhain Distillery is located on the remote north coast of the island of Islay, at the mouth of the river Margadale. Founded in 1881 by the Islay Distillery Company, Bunnahabhain stands out for its unique approach to whisky production on this island known for its peat-smoked whiskies.

A specific feature of Bunnahabhain is that it produces mainly unpeated whiskies, unlike most other Islay distilleries. This results in a smooth, complex whisky with subtle maritime influences. Bunnahabhain whiskies are known for their elegant flavour profile, with notes of fruit, nuts and a slight saltiness.

The peated Bunnahabhain single malts are marketed under names such as Toiteach A Dhà, Staoisha, Moine and are also very well received among aficionados.

The distillery uses water from the Margadale Spring and matures its whiskies in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, creating rich and versatile aromas. Bunnahabhain whiskies are often described as smooth and approachable, with a distinctive refinement.

With a strong emphasis on traditional production methods and a commitment to quality, Bunnahabhain remains a respected name in the world of Scotch single malt whisky.