Bunnahabhain 12 years old Westering Home Old Version Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky 100 cl 43%

Before many of today's whisky lovers had even heard of Bunnahabhain, this was the label that graced the distillery's bottles around the world.

Expert's Description

Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Westering Home Old Version is a Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky in a 100cl format, bottled at 43%.

From the mid-1980s onward, the Westering Home label – named after the lines from Islay's national song – was for a long time the only official Bunnahabhain release available outside the distillery itself. Back then the house style hadn't yet settled on the 46.3% known today, and this 12 Years Old is bottled at 43%, the standard of that period.

The bottle represents a bygone era of Bunnahabhain's history, when the distillery was far less known, and even a 12 Years Old core release was hard to come by outside Scotland.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Gentle sea air and a hint of peat, backed by oily malt.

Palate

Round and oily with nuts, light fruit and a classic malty sweetness.

Finish

Medium length and malty with a calm, dry finish.

Specifications

Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Region/Country: Scotland (Islay)
Type: Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 100 CL
Distillation Method: Double Distilled
Edition: Westering Home

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Oily · Soft · Classic

Investment Potential

High – as a discontinued 1980s bottling in the rare 100cl format, this bottle is part of Bunnahabhain's history that the distillery no longer produces.

Did You Know?

The name Westering Home comes from Islay's national song and graced Bunnahabhain's labels for decades, before the distillery gave its entire range a visual overhaul in the 2010s.

See our full range of Bunnahabhain

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently Asked Questions about Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Westering Home

What is Bunnahabhain Westering Home Old Version?

A discontinued official Bunnahabhain bottling from the mid-1980s, when the label carried the name Westering Home – named after Islay's national song.

Why is it in a 100cl format?

100cl was common in export markets during the period this bottle dates from, unlike today's standard of 70cl.

Is it smoky?

Only lightly – a hint of peat supports the oily malt and the gentle sea air.

Why is it 43% rather than today's 46.3%?

43% was the standard strength of that era, before the distillery later settled its range around the 46.3% known today.

Does it suit a collector?

Yes, as a discontinued bottle from a bygone era of Bunnahabhain's history, it's primarily of interest to collectors of older single malt.

Is it worth it as a historic bottle?

As a bottle no longer produced, representing an earlier phase of the distillery's history, it holds a value that reaches beyond what's simply in the glass.