Bunnahabhain 40 Years 1978 – 2019 #7229 Masam

Masam is run by Maryse Accorsi Samaroli, the wife of the legendary Silvano Samaroli, and since his passing in 2017 the tradition has been carried forward with clear care using casks from his private collection. This is a 40 year old, full proof, single cask Bunnahabhain drawn from butt #7229, bottled in 2019 with only 520 bottles, and WhiskyBase shows an average score of 90.67/100 from 174 ratings, placing it among the highest rated Bunnahabhain releases worldwide. Expect a majestic, deeply layered Islay malt with refined coastal tension, ripe fruit, mature oak depth and a long, classic rancio like complexity.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Deep and elegant with polished oak, beeswax and an old library character. Behind that sits ripe fruit in a restrained, mature register, think dried apricot, orange peel and a hint of stewed apple. Salty sea air and minerality add tension, with nutty notes, soft tobacco and a touch of cocoa showing age without bitterness.

Palate

Full and silky with a concentrated core. Ripe fruit and dried citrus are carried by waxy oils, nuts and gentle sweet spice. The oak reads as structure rather than dryness, with impressions of tea, leather and old herbal tones. The full proof strength mainly adds texture and length, never turning loud.

Finish

Very long and slowly fading. Nuts, cocoa and soft tobacco first, then salinity, dried fruit and an elegant, lightly drying oak note. Everything stays composed, with the kind of calm, lingering depth you hope for at this age.

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.

This is a 40 year old, full proof bottling of Bunnahabhain single malt. One of 520 bottles filled from butt #7229 in 2019.