Bunnahabhain 12 år Old Version XII Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46,3%

Right at Islay's north-eastern tip, at the end of a single-track road, Bunnahabhain sits with its back turned to the rest of the island's peat-driven distilleries. They've been making whisky here since 1881, and it's always gone its own way – the 12 Year Old is where that story starts.

The Expert's Description

Bunnahabhain 12 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon and Sherry casks and bottled at 46.3%.

While most of Islay's distilleries have built their name on heavy peat smoke, Bunnahabhain has always stood apart. The malt is dried with barely any peat at all, and the water drawn from the Margadale River reaches the stills before it ever touches the island's peat beds. The result is a single malt that still tastes unmistakably of Islay – salt, sea air, a whisper of smoke – without letting any of it take over.

The whisky is neither coloured nor chill-filtered, and it shows. The combination of bourbon and Sherry casks lays down a layer of dried fruit and caramel over that maritime core, and because nothing has been filtered away, the flavour sits sharper and richer in the glass than in many other 12 Year Olds on the market.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sea air and salt meet dried fruit, raisin and a touch of warm malt, with a hint of smoke sitting far in the background.

Palate

Rich and nutty with caramel and soft spice, carried by a gentle sweetness from the Sherry casks and a faint, elegant smokiness.

Finish

Medium in length, with lingering sea salt, a little dried fruit and a soft, warm close free of any sharp edges.

Specifications

Name: Bunnahabhain 12 Years
Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 46.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Bourbon and Sherry Casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5029704217366

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Nutty · Lightly Peated · Fruity · Rounded

Did You Know?

Bunnahabhain's labels have long carried a line from "Westering Home" – Islay's unofficial anthem – a small nod to the island from a distillery that sits well off the beaten track.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bunnahabhain 12 Years

What does Bunnahabhain 12 Years taste like?

Sea air, salt and dried fruit lead the way, with a whisper of smoke sitting far in the background. It makes for a good entry point into Islay for anyone not quite ready for the full peat experience.

Is Bunnahabhain 12 Years a peated whisky?

Only to a very limited degree. Bunnahabhain mostly uses unpeated malted barley, which is unusual for an Islay distillery – most of its neighbours lean far more heavily on peat.

Should Bunnahabhain 12 Years be served neat or with ice?

Try it neat first, or with a few drops of water. Ice mutes the soft Sherry notes and caramel that are such a big part of the experience at 46.3%.

Which glass suits Bunnahabhain 12 Years best?

A narrow whisky glass such as a Glencairn glass gathers the aromas best, making it easier to pick apart the sea salt, fruit and light smoke on the nose.

Why is Bunnahabhain known as Islay's odd one out?

Because, unlike most of the island's other distilleries, it has historically built its reputation on unpeated whisky rather than heavy peat smoke. Its location right at the north-eastern tip, well off the beaten track, has also given the distillery a slightly hidden-away reputation among whisky people.

Does Bunnahabhain 12 Years pair well with food?

The soft Sherry character and gentle salinity make it a good match for hard cheeses, smoked fish or dark chocolate – without the whisky being drowned out.

Does Bunnahabhain 12 Years make a good gift?

Yes, for both the curious and the experienced. It shows a different side of Islay than the peated classics, and its mild style makes it easy to approach without being dull.