Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 53.6%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry Oloroso and PX
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Burn Stewart Distillery plc.
Average price: € 300.00
Official website: bunnahabhain.com
The Cask Strength series began in 2021 with a 12yo all in ex sherry, inspired (the distillery’s words) by tastings held with enthusiasts in Warehouse 9.
Since then, each year Bunnahabhain has released a fullcask strength bottling that has also been matured in ex sherry, which until 2023 was aged for 12 years, while in 2024 they decided to almost double that with this 21yo, the first in the new incarnation of this series.
Initial maturation in ex oloroso sherry casks, with the last twenty-one months spent in twenty-one ex Pedro Ximénez casks, for a total of twenty-one… no, 2,682 bottles distributed by the end of 2024.
Tasting Notes
The nose is initially a little closed, of mouldy old wood and earthiness (a hint of dunnage), which slowly brings forth ripe fruit, including blackberries, black cherries, plums and sultanas with orange peel (also in marmalade, but of bitter oranges), sweet liquorice, toasted almonds and a hint of milk chocolate. Cinnamon and nutmeg are more evident along the length, accompanying aspects of aged balsamic vinegar and leather, with the nose pushing further on mould and sulphur. Elegance of yesteryear.
Nice and lively on the opening, black pepper, chilli pepper and ginger tickle the palate, dragging plenty of cinnamon onto the plateau of the nose, amid red fruits, citrus (orange, mandarin), liquorice, chocolate, nuts (almonds and macadamia), all very dry and slightly saline, especially along the length. Very energetic, in a balance between sweet and bitter tones, between marmalade and cinchona, with salt acting as a trait d’union.
Quite long finish, dry and saline, of spices, red fruits, black cherry syrup, ripe orange, balsamic vinegar.
A fine example of how ex-sherry casks can work in long ageing, with a distillate that can withstand the influence of it giving balance and elegance.
Vote: 89/100