Spirit of the Day: Bunnahabhain 12 Year

Bunnahabhain 12 Year

Bunnahabhain 12 Year is a signature single malt Scotch whisky produced by the Bunnahabhain Distillery, located on the remote northeastern coast of the Isle of Islay, Scotland. Unlike many of its heavily peated neighbors, this expression is celebrated for its unpeated, rich, and coastal profile.

Producer History

The Bunnahabhain Distillery was founded in 1881 by the Greenlees brothers. To support the remote site, the founders constructed a distillery village and a pier. By 1887, the original entity was absorbed into the Highland Distilleries Company. The distillery underwent a major expansion in 1963, which increased the stillhouse to four stills to support the blending industry. After being mothballed during an industry downturn in 1982, it resumed production two years later. In 2003, the distillery was sold to Burn Stewart Distillers, marking the beginning of a modern era of investment and brand growth. Today, it is owned by CVH Spirits.

Product History

The 12-year-old expression serves as the cornerstone of the Bunnahabhain core range. It is crafted using a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, with the bourbon casks contributing a lighter, fresher character and the sherry casks providing depth and richness. The whisky is bottled at 46.3% ABV, is non-chill filtered, and retains its natural color, ensuring a full-bodied experience.

Taste Profile

Appearance: Natural amber hue.

Aroma/Nose: Fresh and aromatic, featuring floral hints, rich malt, dried fruit, caramel, chocolate orange, and apple poached in cinnamon, with a distinct coastal influence.

Palate: Soft and supple with nutty, sherried qualities. Notes of vanilla, marmalade, sultanas, and bright coastal salinity are balanced by black pepper, ginger, clove, milk chocolate, and roasted walnuts.

Finish: Long and energetic, transitioning from dried fruits and caramel to a drier finale of cinnamon, mocha bitterness, and salted nuts.

Overall Character: A complex, savory, and sweet Islay malt that defies the expectation that all Islay whiskies must be heavily peated.

Review

Based on independent ratings from Whisky Advocate (90), The Whiskey Jug (87), and Drink Hacker (85), the Bunnahabhain 12 Year holds an average score of 87.3 out of 100.

Serving Guide

Glassware: Glencairn glass | Serving temperature: Room temperature | ABV: 46.3%

Serving Suggestions

• Neat, to appreciate the full complexity of the sherry and coastal notes.
• With a few drops of distilled water to open up the floral and fruity aromas.

Food Pairings

• Smoked salmon, as the salinity of the fish complements the coastal character of the whisky.
• Dark chocolate, which highlights the mocha and nutty notes in the palate.
• Roasted nuts, which mirror the nutty profile of the sherry-cask maturation.
• Hard cheeses like aged cheddar, which stand up well to the whisky's rich, oily texture.