Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

Got this one, so thought I'd put down a few comments on it.

The nose, first sniff reveals a smack of raisins, almost sugary. I haven't checked maturation, but the sherry feels very pronounced. On a later second nosing there's some ripe banana and maybe a little bit of figs. There's some salted toffee.

The Palate is quite hot on entry with a slight burn. There's some spice, and we're in 4th gear on vanilla notes. Again with the raisins. Fairly straight forward and certainly not one of the curiously (and more interesting) shape-shifters.

The finish is short to medium. There's some dry wood bitterness in there, I'm tempted to also say matches. If the palate is more pleasant than the nose, then the finish comes last on the list.

As far as sherried drams go, there are many that I'd rather drink than this. That said, at the price point (£30 in the UK on regular offers) it's not bad so it'd be silly compare it with other sherried alternatives in the £50-90 bracket. From a pure taste experience it's a 73 for me, considering the price/quality ratio I may push that to 79. (note, looking at other reviews here, I am conscious that I'm probably quite stingy with my marks having awarded 89 to a dram that I really like a lot so statistically I may be about 5 points trailing, which I suppose is relevant to help people get an average impression so you may wanna make that 78 for taste / 84 'all things considered').

My first review...this was my first and remains a favoritemof mine. Not too adventurous, but not too blabd, for me it falls right innthe sweet spot.

So this is a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12 (small batch distilled). I don't know much about this new release /packaging. Perhaps, it's just a marketing gimmick. Let's get right down to business.

NOSE: smoke, BBQ, seaweed, caramel. Sea salt minerality, toffee, dried cherries, raisins, cola, used up matchsticks (probably due to sherry sulfur influence), rich cacao. (21/25)

TASTE: sweet, salty, mineral, dry, spicy. Chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla, fudge, peat, ginger (a lot of it), BBQ again, cherries, cherry cola, creamy dark hot chocolate, licorice,strawberry jam (20/25) A little harsh.

FINISH: long, mineral, vanilla, milk chocolate again, dried bitter cranberries, some pepper. (21/25)

BALANCE: 23/25 SCORE: 85/100 OVERALL IMPRESSION: very pleasant, but doesn't rock my world by any means.

The Bunna 12 is the flagship of this (somewhat decrepit looking) most northerly Islay distillery. It was poured during my visit last September. It is bottled at 46.3% for a few years now, making chill filtration unnecessary. The Bunnahabhain 12 is unpeated. This recent bottling is surprisingly dark.

Some orange juice upholstered with bread dough, honey, apricots and something that reminds me of a haystack. Caramel kicks in, quite big. You can smell the barley. It is light, rather easy, but pleasant at the same time.

The body is surprisingly fatty and immediately the oranges and apricots return, joined by sultanas. Loads of sherry influences. Hazel nuts and almond liqueur kick in. Amaretto on steroids with a pinch of sniffing tobacco.

The finish is fairly long, sweet and brings a smile to your face.

Nice all man’s friend that is dangerously quaffable.

This is one I've been meaning to try for some time now, and fortunately, it became available to me at a very reasonable price. This bottle has only been open for a couple of weeks now. Apparently, it is made with un-peated malt, and is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. A unique bottle, but frustrating that you can't see the level.

NOSE: Initially port, cherry, dark red fruits. (Disclaimer: I've never actually had a glass of sherry before, but when I nose this, it reminds me of port.) It is somehow different to the usual sherry influenced malts I've encountered. Stewed fruits, with dried fruit in the background. There's a sweetness not sickly so, offset with burnt sugar. The wood is definitely there too, quite spicy. Unfortunately, the port note is fleeting, but it has been there with every glass from the bottle so far.

PALATE: A delicious, mouth filling combination of sherry fruitiness and spicy oak. A distinctive salty tang that creeps down the sides of the tongue. The spices, clove, nutmeg, linger - almost a little too much for me. The winey notes are still there and also something floral - almost like geraniums. Nuttiness, hazelnut, and a sweet malty background. I don't notice smoke, except a nod to some lapsang suchong tea.

FINISH: Dominated by woody spiciness, quite spicy. Burnt toffee and brine. The wood spices keep on going.

I'm really enjoying this. It's often described as a gentle Islay whisky. The box mentions "fondly known for its wonderfully gentle taste". I was worried it was going to be boring or too light for my tastes. Thankfully, it has quite a bit going on. The spiciness is quite unexpected and builds quite powerfully. Un-peated, but with the gentlest whiff of smoke.

Gold color, seems very oily. Big apple on the nose, raisins, wood, wine. Nice mouthfeel, big spice, fiery pepper, a bit of bitter aftertaste at the end of the jaw, medium finish. I have to put some water.... Citrus starting to come forward now on the nose and taste....half of the spice is now dead...but a small fire still lights up behind the tongue. It less interesting I would say.

Bunnahabhain distillery was founded in 1881 by William Robertson and the Greenless brothers William and James. Production started in earnest in 1883 and in 1887 the distillery was integrated into Highland Distilleries Company Ltd. Production continued uninterruptedly until 1982 when the distillery was closed for two years. It was reopened in 1984 and in 1999 was acquired by the Edrington Group. In 2003 Bunnahabhain distillery was sold to Burn Stewart Distillers, together with the 'Black Bottle' brand. This current version of the 12-year old was first released in 2010 with a new ABV of 46.3%, no chill-filtration and no added colouring.

The nose is rather light but lush with plenty of vanilla flavours, a hint of honey and discreet smoke in the background – not too complex but lovely.

The palate is medium-bodied and a bit dry. The smoke is now more distinct and comes together with notes of vanilla, nuts and a hint of lemon, overall in very good balance.

The finish is pleasantly long and ends on notes of coffee and wood spice.

This flagship of Bunnahabhain’s core range is one of my preferred everyday malts. It may not be too complex but its good balance and the pleasant mix between fruity character and soft smoke provide for good, honest fare. Kudos to Burn Stewart for having turned this into a non chill-filtered whisky with a higher ABV a few years ago, and let’s hope that they keep it that way in the light of the departure of master blender Ian Macmillan.

This was my first bottle of Bunnahabhain. As I neared the bottom of the bottle I was also left thinking I wouldn't mind having another. That is not the case of whiskies I have had nor even individual drams. This is a good one.

Nose: light sweetness, salt, hint of peat, sherry, fruity Mouth: oily, staged delivery becomes quick, hint bitterness, medium spiciness,

Finish: lingering, spicy,

This is a unique offering from Islay, no peat, but a wonderfully full bodied and complex malt with some hints of sea salt and brine mixed with sherry. It's very drinkable even without water and has a lovely long finish. A great whisky for a rainy day.

All this distilleries offerings seem to come in squat bottles with very narrow necks which pore very poorly. I hate bad design so this irks me every time, before I even come to taste the whisky.

This malt opens up expressively with soft sweet peaty aromas, some vanilla, apples and some nuttiness too. Medium bodied and the mouth feel is good, delivering sweet malty flavours along with soft peat. The flavours become quite bitter towards the finish, like burnt toast, which is not wholly pleasant but is the only real blemish on the drinking experience.

I do like this malt, but the bottle shape and the finish let it down in my opinion.

­This whisky seems to have some mixed reviews on Connosr, so it was with some trepidation that I forked out my cash for a bottle. However, this is the new version from Burn Stewart, who have made all their whiskies 46.3% unchillfiltered, which sounds like a good thing to me.

Nose – Firstly some sugared almonds and sherry character, icing sugar, caramel and sweet baked pear, sultanas and cinnamon. Develops into leather with a touch of salt. With water it becomes dusty, roasted flavours, a slight gravy note, porter and coffee liqueur.

­Palate – Sweet, soft arrival with baked pear, cinnamon, brown sugar caramel, sultanas and raisins. Quickly develops into a pronounced nuttiness, roasted hazelnuts, praline, milk chocolate and Irish coffee, and a hint of burnt toffee, with intensity at the back of the tongue. Then some peppery spice at the back of the mouth and some salt. ­ Finish – Nutty, walnuts, hazelnuts, some marzipan, and toasted oak and cinnamon, black coffee, dark chocolate, stout and a hint of biscuit notes. Later, a touch of cloves. Medium long and slightly sweet and bitter. ­ The nose starts off slightly lacking intensity, but open up with water, albeit with some unusual flavours. Then the palate and the finish are absolutely delicious with those wonderful nutty, coffee and chocolate notes throughout. Reminds me a little bit of stout or porter. I can understand if some people didn't like the flavour profile of this one, but for me it's excellent, certainly a favourite.

Sampled thanks to Patrick. Pours light chardonnay with good legs. Nose is extreme salt lick, opens up to toffee, butter, cake. Really amazing as it decants. Taste is a bit thin, mild paper, peppermint, spice.

When The Bunnahabhain distillery decided to put a sailor on the bottle, they were not fooling around. This is a sultry, sea-side delight. The sweet, fruity, sherry cask influence really balances out these maritime nuances.Super complex for a 12 year old. Moderate smoke, sea-salt, raw almonds, sherry, prunes, slight Earl Gray tea, tobacco, leather. Long finish. It really coats your palate,thanks to the non chill-filtering. Excellent whisky. It can be challenging for a beginner. A stepping stone between a Speyside, and a Islay style whisky.Highly recommended!!!!

Well, what can I say about Bunnahabhain 12 year old? Nothing bad, that's for sure. Good dram and amazingly good for a "sherry whisky".

Like tasting something from the Speyside region, except having the Islay air feel in the nose. Smooth and balanced in every step.

Bunnahabhain 12 yrs was as steady as an old school Hollywood actor. Like Marshall Will Kane (played by Gary Cooper) in "High Noon", calmly stepping around his own town. You just know everything is going to be all right.

Nose: Sweet wine and peat. Fresh breeze of Islay air without the smoke. Malt and mild sherry notes.

Taste: Wine and sherry mix. Sweetness turns into nice spices.

Finish: Sweet wine and spices clash nicely. Salty.

Balance: Everything is in order. Very consistent dram that doesn't offer any surprises but is good all the way. Very subtle, was this from Speyside?

The reviewed sample is compliments of @Nock

Nose: delicate and elegant flavours of barley-malt and wine. Bunnahabhain is famous for being the most removed of the Islay distilleries from the smokey/heavily-peated style, though they do some peated whiskies as well. The sorts of barley-malt-cum-wine flavours here are not unfamiliar, they are just of a very beautiful and high quality. The predominant barley flavours are medium-pitched and show some well-muted pear, apple, and grassiness. The very mutedness of these flavours give them a 'come hither' sort of enticing quality. This is a minor work of art

Taste: very vibrant on the tongue, with the nose flavours translating quite well. This is quite crisp, relatively bright, and also shows spiciness in the mouth not evident in the nose. The wine flavours are strong in the mouth. Very enjoyable

Finish: this goes to sweet, spicy, and winey at the end of the finish. The other flavours last only a medium length

Balance: I had some Bunnahabhain 12 a couple of years ago which I really did not like at all. This one is great. This is more a whisky for those who appreciate subtleties than for those who wish to get the big-flavour-club-you-over-the-head experience. These are subtleties which I find very easy to like

NOSE: the first note I get from this whisky is the one of dry white wine (Pino Grigio). Then it becomes slightly sea-coastal and mineral with just a hint of peat. After a while all of this is heavily masked by very dominant, creamy sherry-related notes, chocolate, and spices. So much so that you can easily mistaken this whisky for a very charismatic Speysider. And as time goes by the Islay almost completely dies out here.

TASTE: big sweet barley malt with mineral nature to it, transforming into seaweed. But, again, after some time Islay makes way for unexpected , delicious sherriness spiced with nutmeg.

FINISH: long, spicy, warming with slight oak and seaweed at the end that you should savor because you will hardly notice it the second or third time you pour yourself a glass.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: it's a Speysider's gig introduced by a host from Islay who, after the announcement, disappears thus allowing the Speysider to carry on with the show on its own. The show I enjoyed immensely.

This was another one that I tasted at the bar and was impressed enough to later buy a bottle to bring home. The nose is all sherry. There is a lot going here with the taste, and many of the other reviewers for this one have an even wilder imagination than I do. The glass I had at the bar prompted me to note a smoky flavor, but it is very faint with this bottle. Still in all, a very good malt that borders on me wanting to buy it again. The finish is a pleasant burn.

Yes, I tasted a distinct sherry note in the glass of Bunn 12 that I ordered at a pub in Portland. I was very surprised to taste such a sweet scotch in the black bottle from Islay.

The nose was medium bodied with hints of cream and salt. Taste: sherry, smoke, pepper, mesquite. Finish: medium long with hints of the sherry, some walnut, peppery oak, flax, brine.

My second glass was just too sweet and this surprised me. I'm not sure what was in that bottle at the bar, but it sure did not match the profiles I've read about Bunnahabhain 12. Didn't match the 18 either.

That bottle's a mystery and it was unique. I actually had the bartender bring it to me, and yes, it was the standard 12 year bottle. The sherry profile was not entirely pleasing, unfortunately. It didn't come together particularly well, although the first few sips were quite good. By the end, I was tired of it.

Without resorting to research, I can provide two top-of-my-head facts about Bunnahabhain 12: 1) It’s been non-chill filtered and at 46% ABV since 2010 (yay); and 2) It’s another one of those distilleries that require a dialect coach for proper pronunciation (it’s boon-uh-HA-ven…I think).

This is a whisky I appreciate more than like. One of those with assertive flavors unfriendly to my palate, but one that should satisfy those who like a briny bitterness as a dominant feature of the experience. This review is based on my fifth dram from a bottle opened about six weeks. I haven’t noticed much flavor evolution in that time.

Nose: Seaweed and light salty air dominate, with plenty of berry fruits, sherry, and malt vinegar (rather than malt and vinegar), like you pour on fish. There’s also enough graininess (like Wheaties or bran muffins) such that one might mistake this for a blend, but the grain is confined to the nose. Just a faint trace of smoke, more woody than peaty. A nice nose; my favorite part of the experience, in fact.

Palate: A thick, oily arrival that develops in unusual and unexpected ways. It’s all butter, sherry, vanilla, and berry fruits at first, but those flavors are quickly enveloped by a layer of sour cream. Those flavors continue into the finish, where the peat also makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance.

The final aftertaste needs a little time to reveal its more pleasant side. A few minutes out of the bottle, and the Bunny 12 leaves a pucker-inducing flavor that I can only describe as part sour milk and part watermelon with all the sweetness sucked out. After letting it sit for 20 minutes, some nice malt helps even out the rough stuff. I had most of this dram neat, and then added a tiny drop of water for my final sip, which helped bring out some honey and more malt.

Other whiskies have sour, bitter, or vinegary notes that integrate themselves well into the flavor profile, but Bunnahabhain 12’s balance of these elements is off for me. As mentioned, however, it’s one I can appreciate and can well understand how many maltheads would enjoy the 12 for its uniqueness and complexity. Just one man’s opinion; perhaps a cautionary note for those with similar taste preferences.

This was packaged in a neat little dark bottle, with a red, fiery looking logo showing off the complex, fun-to-say "Bunnahabhain" and a grizzled old seaman looking out over the bow of his ship, probably on a magnanimous (or drunk?) voyage off the Islay coast. That is what this whisky feels like to drink. The nose has a ton of sea salt air to it. It has some smoke, and after a few drinks, the caramel really shows up. But the sea air never leaves- it really makes one picture a bonfire by the ocean, with perhaps some caramels (how does one tie caramels in with that imagery?) It is delicious, with just the right amount of strength. Sweet and smoky. The finish is super long, and very peppery. Water drops really didn't do anything. As a fan of super-strength Islay, it didn't hit my "true-love" button, but I fell in love with it all the same.

I have to be honest, i love the look of the bottle. It stands out from the norm and the smoky glass shades the contents perfectly. The colour is a wonderful moody rich caramel. Upon first pour this seems more Speyside than Islay. It smells salty and sweet backed by fruit. I had expected smoke but its not there.

On the palate it's sweet with sherry and raisins. The finish leaves a tingle on the tongue, sherry and sea spray and finally I get the peat.

It is the first Islay that I have tried that hasn't been powerfully smokey or heavily. This is a good solid entry level with appeal. It's not overly complex but it ticks enough boxes and is a grower.

This has a 'take it or leave it' kind of flavour profile. It's not a Laphroaig, an Ardbeg, a Lagavulin, etc. It's flavour profile might be closest to a Bowmore bottling, if one must make a comparison. However the people at Bunnahabhain seem to have gone through considerable effort to make something distinctive. If I were to describe it colourfully, I might say it's a basket of sun-baked fruit sitting atop a soggy piece of driftwood gently floating upon the Dead Sea.

Nose: Dried fruits and brine. A subtle hint of oak. Certainly the promise of sherry and salt on the palate. Quite complex and very pleasant. Seems quite mature for a 12 year old.

Palate: Mildly oily mouthfeel without being creamy. I immediately notice that the salt packs an unexpectedly strong punch upon my unsuspecting taste buds. Seaweed. Much more oak and woodiness than promised by the nose. Alternately, the sherry flavours are somewhat less prominent than the nose promised. Indeed, there are some figs, apples, cherries, wet tobacco, spices, and brown sugar in here, but the maritime flavours dominate. Finishes on a briney, spicy note with a faint hazelnut and stale, wet tobacco aftertaste. In a good way.

Overall, it seems to be a somewhat bipolar dram. I find the nose on this quite deceiving. Being a sherry lover, my senses lit up with anticipation when I smelled it. The nose promises sherry first, maritime notes as a close second, and peat, wood, and earth third.

The palate reconsiders this and offers the maritime flavours the spotlight, with a strong woody peaty character in the supporting role. The two stage hogs work together quite beautifully, but they seem to obstruct the fruity sherry notes from realizing their own star power.

Interesting dram. It's not bad at all if you know what you're in for. I tend to drink this when I'm in a bit of a mood or if I feel like taking a break from my first love, which is sherried Speysides. It probably won't please the hardcore Islay maniacs, nor will it likely please the sherry lovers. For those looking to marry peat and sherry, it works, but it's a troubled marriage. This is largely because the maritime notes are salty enough to pickle your tongue if you drink too much of this. But... again, if you know what you're in for, then this whisky is different, quite complex, unexpectedly mature, and well-priced. Worth trying once.

Last night, I got off work and decided to head to Paddy's, a bar in Portland with a large selection that serves it's Whisky in a proper nosing glass. A huge plus.

Having come to a place in my walk with Whisky where I felt it was time to explore what Islay has to offer, I decided to start with the Bunnahabhain 12, having heard it was light and approachable. So the bartender poured me a healthy dram and left the bottle with me to explore. Class act. According to the bottle, it's an Islay pronounced "Bu-na-ha-venn." Go figure!

Nose: Not at ALL what I was expecting. When I think Islay, I think smoke and peat. That was not the case. My first approach was subtle, smooth, damp. Very interesting. Very tame for 46% ABV. I got notes of wet wood, orchard fruits, some light earthiness and a definitely undertone of orchard fruits. Very, very pleasant. 15 minutes in and hazelnut becomes much more prevalent.

Palate: Are we SURE this is Islay? Very welcoming and soft! Leather, fruits, wood, and with time I get hazelnut. Some light smoke. I'm a fan of this.

Finish: Long, heavy but soft, just like the tone of this entire dram. Some hazelnut, orchard fruits and driftwood continue on the end. I'm telling ya, this was pretty damn enjoyable. I'd go back for more.

Balance: This dram, from start to finish, is good. Not amazing, but good. It's balanced, fresh, flavorful. A solid everyday drinker.

Color is a deep amber, but this is the natural color. Very long, thin legs. The nose is rich in toffee and raisons and baked fruits, maybe apples and pears straight out the oven, but just a little of the brown sugar or nutmeg one might expect in this aroma. And just a touch of that rubbery old Islay malt and medicinal character. The palate is smooth and slightly creamy, not quite oily, with the baked fruit sugars, sherry, mashed nuts - walnuts and brazil nuts - with sweet prunes and a vague malty woodiness also in evidence. The finish is long and warm, with the fruits and sherry slowly diminishing in the sweet burn of alcohol. Mmm-Mmm Good!

Full bodied creamy buttery, sherry sweetness salty, long slow finish. The name is just plain fun to say.

When I got a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12yo I was really thrilled with it's name and really wanted to like the whisky.

Just after I opened the bottle the nose was very nice and complex. I could get sea salt, aniseed, grass, nuts, some peat. After a while it mellowed a bit and develped nicely into some vanilla, sherry, toffee, plum and condensed milk. This was one of the most complex noses I tried!

However on the palate it wasn't so pleasant. Quite an alcohol punch, the body is quite thin and watery.

Taste has initial alcohol bite, sweet, revealing grass, nuts, toffee, some peat, chocolate, bcoming a bit bitter in the end.

Finish rewards with cherry, oak, sherry, cocoa, coffee and chocolate notes.

A drop of water develops some fruity and grassy notes. A bit more water destroys it and makes it flat.

This is a controversal whisky fot me. Maybe it's just my taste buds rioting, but I kind of liked it at first, and now, as it's just a half of bottle left, my hand usually grabs another whisky from my cabinet. With time it became less interesting and flamboyant. It's not too drinkable and lacks in a balance department.

I gave it +5 pts for my initial impressions, but I don't think I'll be buying another bottle soon. Perhaps 18yo version is worth trying.

This review is for the "new," non-chill filtered and higher abv Bunna 12. As others have noted, this is a totally different whisky from the old 12, so if you're approaching it expecting a more "evolved" or "refined" version of the old Bunna you may be a little disappointed. The new Bunna is more "in your face" compared to the old one; it's like the Bunna 12 became sick of being the gentle Islay wallflower, and has adopted an aggressive new style that is still totally unlike any other Islay. With all that said, I think this new Bunna 12 is a decent value and overall a pretty solid single malt that I'm sure will provoke a somewhat polarizing response with its new "take it or leave it" style.

Nose: Up front, big sherry and dark fruit dominate, but there is an aged, woody, and earthy quality that ties everything together. Old and dark and wet, like the smell of an old damp wooden canoe on a wet and misty mountain lake morning. The sweetness reminds me of fruit that has been left soaking in homemade sangria, or the smell of a cork that has just been pulled out of a bottle of malbec. Pipe tobacco. There is also faint spice, gingerbread cookies. In the background there is a distinct burnt note that I wouldn't characterize as peat or smoke - more like the smell of a dead campfire in the morning after a heavy storm the night before.

Palate: Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, and soft. Not a chewy mouthfeel but certainly not thin at all. The nose is pretty much realized on the palate - sherry, dark fruits, and, to a lesser extent, tobacco and molasses. Of course, there is the same damp, charred woodiness from the nose permeating everything. There is a suggestion of a nutty holiday cookie. For some reason I could see a bourbon lover really enjoying this, as the sweet/char tango reminds me a bit of woodford or elijah craig. Alcohol burn is moderate.

Finish: The finish is medium length, warming, and is reaffirms the char and sherry. I imagine licking burnt toast that has been soaking in sherry overnight. This whisky does not finish dry.

Overall, an interesting sherried single malt and a total departure from the old Bunna 12. The damp-sherried-char character is funky and unusual, and may really intrique some people while turning off quite a few others. Look elsewhere for an archetypal Islay (not much smoke or peat here) or a reliable all-rounder, but if you're looking for something different in the $40-$50 range and enjoy a dark and rich flavor profile you may want to give this Bunna a try.

Recently the wonderful people at Bunnahabain have changed their bottling of the standard 12yo. The bottle has changed from a green to a dark brown, the ABV % was bummed up from 40% to 46.3%, and they have changed to a non-chill filtration format. Now I will start this by saying that I don't think that I have ever had the original dram, save one possible opportunity where I had a glass at the bar. The notes that follow are for the rebranded version of the starndard 12yo.

Review was done with 2oz whisky in a Glencairn glass with 5-6 drops of unchlorinated spring water all at room temp

nose... there is a vanilla note that seems quite prevalent, sherry notes, nutty mostly almond, with a hint of smoke.

palate... hint of peat...? possibly? sweet, there is good vanilla flavor and more sherry notes, almonds and a touch more smoke then on the nose. I'm also getting a fig note in there somewhere. I also get a little candied fruit.

finish... long but not too long, I rather enjoy this finish but it is giving me a little bit of a burn, might just be my tongue today as it hasn't done it in the past and I've had the bottle for a while now.

Now I know that I am going to catch some hell from people about the comment I am about to make but I'll make it anyhow. This dram strongly reminds me of the Macallan 12yo Traditional. The sherry taste that seems to shine through is quite good and the smoke makes for a nice touch and adds something to the Macallanesk flavour that I seem to be continually reminded of.

Anyhow I rather enjoyed this dram, just as I have with all the drams from this bottle previously. I would say it is one that will continue to maintain a spot on my self and probably never get too dusty...

Sampled in a Glencairn with a teaspoon of spring water.

Legs: Long and shapely, like a Moulin Rouge dancer.

Nose: A strong sherry aroma with big hints of fruit, certainly sultana and maybe cooking apples, toffee, a slight salty note hiding in the background. Very pleasant and warming smell.

Taste: Strong sherry arrival with fruit again and vanilla and as with the nose an undercurrent of salt.

Finish: A long lingering finish with the salt fading slowing but the fruit and vanilla remaining.

Overall an extremely pleasant dram for the winter fire side particularly I should imagine at Christmas when the turkey is massacred, the christmas pudding is laying like a brick on your stomach and you've bumped off your relations (home I mean, not killed them!)and you're settling down to watch a film you've seen several times before, probably 'It's a Wonderful Life' (but who cares you''ll no doubt nod off before long anyway).

At this stage in my whisky journey I don't care for the heavily peated Islay whiskies, so for me this represents a lot more enjoyable alternative to your Ardbegs and Laphroaigs.

I really, really didn't like the original 12 year. I thought the idea of a tamer Islay malt a nice change of pace, but the way it was presented, I though it came off weak and boring. How is the updated bottling? Well, let's just say someone climbed to the top of the corporate ladder, sat on the ledge, and pushed the ladder over.

The nose reminds me a lot of Springbank 10 year, with a burnt component. There certainly a fruity note that is like candied strawberries, soaked in sherry. This stuff does need a little time to open up, otherwise it seems a little one dimensional (give it the time it deserves).

The palate is rather complex; lots of fruit/floral flavors, mixed with a coal like smoke (not so much peaty), pepper, sea salt, and a slight creaminess are also detected. I'm not too sure what I think of the type of smoke in this stuff. It's interesting to be sure, but I feel there is something a little off about it. It's like eating a christmas cake next to a stove where someone started to scorch something. Different.

Finish wise, it's not too long. A little of the creme note stays with the fresh vegetal note until all traces are gone.

The stuff is strides better than the first bottling, but there is still something that seems a little off (it may just be me). It's different from other Islay malts, but can now hold it's own against any of them (in it's own right). Kind of a like a mix between Ardbeg Uigeadail and Springbank 10 year.

Everything about this dram was 'bi-polar' or mixed up. It appeared to be all over the spectrum in what it offered the nose, palate and finish. I bought the bottle July 16, 2011 upon the recommendation of a liquor store owner in Colorado, USA. Searching for a new Islay experience, he simply inferred that it would be good, pointing to HP 18 as his favorite (anyone who reads reviews could make that statement without ever having tasted a drop). I should have listened more cloesely to his commentary, because, in retrospect, he was simply trying to make a sale and wasn't really a die-hard Scotch devotee. If the store carries Laphroaig 10, but not the 18... buyer beware of the opinion of the salesman, they are simply selling alchohol without appreciation for the spirit!!! Nose: soft, yet stale vanilla with sweetness. Palate: hint of bold strength on the tongue, light tingle, some acidity. Finish: light smoke and peat, plastic wouldn't be incorrect, maybe even melting plastic.... yes. OVERALL: I believe this offers nothing noteworthy and has little character when compared to Laphroaig, Highland Park and the Western Highland Oban. Suggestion... with regard to Scotch, the devotee, ecclectic, and even eccentric drinker knows his/her dram. Stick with the heavy drinker who has the pocketbook and palate to afford the best, and the open-ness to appreciate wonder-ous variety and quality!

I purchased this bottle after hearing Mr. Ralfy give a wonderful review of this affordable Whisky. The moment it hit my nose I could tell this was not my style. Then I tasted it... oil, plastic, manufacturing, quirky sweetness. Not at all what I was expecting.

I was so put off that I couldn't help think that this bottle was somehow flawed, or like the wine guys like to say "corked."

I've since had a couple more drams just to make sure it wasn't a fluke event. It wasn't.

Now on ebay: "9/10s of a Bunnahabhain 12 YO for sale, cheap!"

Distinctive as the only non-peated Islay malt (although Bruichladdich also has an unpeated bottling), Bunna (pronounced boon-a-havn) is located on the eastern shore of Islay, north of Caol Ila, across the Sound of Islay from the Isle of Jura. The distillery’s water is piped from a spring, which rises from dolomite rock in the mountains, and becomes hard with dissolved calcium- and magnesium-carbonate. Because the water never flows over the island’s pervasive peat bogs, the resulting whisky is mineral, light, delicate and totally unpeated, despite the island’s penchant for heavily peated whiskies. It is said that the whisky does, however, pick up some of the briny, maritime flavors, perhaps from the sea air in coastal warehouses.

Bunnahabhain is currently re-introducing their 12-year expression with a new (dark brown) bottle and label. They are also increasing the bottling strength from 40% ABV to 46.3% ABV, and switching to non-chill-filtering. The price is also increasing by $5-$10. I’ve heard it has a little more sherry influence and a touch of smoke, and is altogether more interesting than the older bottlings (pre-2011 with a green bottle). My notes below are for the original 12-year (the green bottle).

I tasted the 12-year single malt recently at C.B. Hannegan’s in Los Gatos, CA. Funny story: My brother-in-law Louis and I were sampling drams together and I ordered this Bunna. When it arrived I was trying to identify the nutty, sweet, cooked aroma in the nose. Baked bread? No, sweeter… cinnamon rolls? No, there’s no cinnamon or nutmeg… Louis took a whiff and joined in, guessing cookies or walnuts. Suddenly and simultaneously, the answer occurred to us both, and we exclaimed “Aunt Nancy’s Pecan Pie! Yes!” Whisky sampling is always more fun in good company!

Nose: If you’re expecting peat from this Islay malt, you will be very confused: Heavy oak – like newly-lacquered furniture, cherry, vanilla. Wait… Pecan pie!!! This smells exactly like my aunt Nancy’s Thanksgiving pecan pie!

Palate: Unlike any Islay I’ve had – lots of caramel and vanilla, full body, almost no smoke or earthiness at all. Salted caramels.

Finish: Unfortunately short, mostly with oak tannins and furniture polish.

Conclusion: This is a good middle-of-the-road dram, mostly notable for its diversion from traditional Islay peat character. Worth a try, although there are better non-peated, non-sherried malts (Speyside, Lowlands) in this price range. Keep an eye out for the new (brown bottle) 12 year – that’s definitely worth a try.

I have quickly become a big fan of Black Bottle and was interested in trying the main offering from its largest component. This is not your common Islay.

Nose: Raisin, Nail polish, Vanilla, Old lady's perfume, Musty book. Medium legs.

Palate: Salty, Stewed prunes, Orange zest, Ginger, Oak. Its very light bodied and fairly smooth.

Finish: Short and flat. White pepper tingle, followed by Hay and Sage.

I wasn't blown away by this one. It isn't bad, nor is it great. The nose is great and the ginger on the palate is nice, the finish left me wanting. For me, this will make a fine dram for a hot late summer's day. Though, once this bottle is gone I'll stick with black bottle to cover this flavor profile since it really shines in that blend in a way it doesn't on its own.

Honestly, this reminds me of earthy, lightly-peated Glenfiddich....not sure if I am a big fan of this one.

Not your typical Islay malt, but a really nice dram all the same. Initial nose has butter, smoke and sweet nuttiness. Also a bit of burning wood. Adding water releases some hay aromas. On the palate, I'm reminded of honey on toast. With some burnt cereal and a touch of tobacco. With water, the flavours become more floral, with grassy hints and some more wood notes. The finish is smooth and malty.

A very enjoyable, drinkable dram, one that could be enjoyed anytime. A good 'mid-weeker'!

Fresh nose. Honey and ginger. Fruity with hints of dry sherry. Really mild, the smoke is only noticeable in the distance and peat is virtually absent. Mouth: mellow and really sweet. Just a tad smokey. Weak attack (it seems over-diluted) but it gets more powerful after a few seconds. More smoke and coffee in the aftertaste. A tiny bit of peat as well (or was that just imagination?).