Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old 1976 The Whisky Mercenary

I first tried this at the Spirits in the Sky festival in Leuven (B), when Jürgen offered me a sample. It was great. So I was very happy that the Whisky Mercenary decided to send me sample of all of his bottlings, this one included, to try again in the serenity of my whisky basement.

Oh, my, this nose is out of this World! Creamy like famer butter with a whiff of salt. Instantly becomes very fruity with loads of banana mango and kiwi. Almost exotic. Some apples and pears, gooseberries and apricots. Next up: marzipan, rum raisins and a wonderful herbal side. Think basilicum, thyme and parsley! Graeffe sugar, freshly cut grass, light oak. White chocolate. Yes, this is very complex and a feast for the nose.

Creamy on the palate with a good kick to the teeth from the base spices pepper and salt. The fruit returns in full force, but is quickly joined by some bittersweet citrus. Think grapefruit and oranges, but also some lime zest. It even has some kinine.

In the finish, which is wonderfully long, the kinine is prominent. This is a Bunna Tonic. It end slightly drying with a nice touch of the oak cask.

In many respects, this reminds me of the 35 year old Bunna from the Nectar, but this goes over it just a bit. I would not be surprised if this came from a fino sherry cask as well. Wonderful Bunna. And not even 150 EUR for a 35 year old whisky. Wow. Thanks, Jürgen!

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