Bunnahabhain 2001/2025 Symingtons Choice 23 year old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 59,5%

Andrew Symington has tasted his way through thousands of casks over the years, and when he puts his own name on a series, it's worth paying attention.

Expert's Description

Bunnahabhain 2001/2025 Symington's Choice 23 Years Old is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in an oloroso sherry butt and bottled at cask strength, 59.5%.

Symington's Choice is Signatory Vintage's newer series, named in honour of the founder himself, gathering some of the most richly matured casks from the house's vast stock. This Bunnahabhain was distilled in October 2001 and rested for 23 years on cask #1438, before being bottled straight from the wood in April 2025.

The long maturation on oloroso sherry has given the whisky a deep, almost mahogany hue, and at 59.5% cask strength, every drop of water you add opens fresh layers in the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark chocolate, dried plums and a warm spiciness of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Palate

Intense and full with sherry sweetness, walnuts and a wave of warmth that speaks to the cask strength.

Finish

Very long, dry and spicy with a final hint of espresso.

Specifications

Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Scotland (Islay)
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 23 Years
ABV: 59.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Oloroso Sherry Butt / Cask No. #1438
Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Distillation Method: Double Distilled
Distilled: 08/10/2001
Bottled: 10/04/2025
Number of Bottles: 540
Edition: Symington's Choice

Flavour Profile

Sherry-Matured · Cask Strength · Spicy · Mature

Investment Potential

Medium – 23 years on a single oloroso cask and a series named after Signatory's own founder make this an interesting bottle for collectors following the house's older releases.

Did You Know?

Signatory Vintage was founded in 1988 by Andrew Symington and his brother, and since 2002 the house has also owned Edradour distillery, where all of its bottling now takes place.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bunnahabhain 2001/2025 Symington's Choice 23 Years Old

What does Bunnahabhain 2001/2025 Symington's Choice 23 Years Old taste like?

Dark chocolate, dried plums and spiced nutmeg meet an intense sherry sweetness, driven by the 59.5% in the glass.

What is Symington's Choice?

Signatory Vintage's series, named after founder Andrew Symington, where only the most richly matured casks from the house's stock are selected.

Is it very powerful?

Yes, at 59.5% it's bottled straight from the cask without adjustment – a few drops of water open up more layers without the whisky losing its character.

How old is the whisky exactly?

It was distilled in October 2001 and bottled in April 2025, giving it 23 years on a single oloroso sherry cask.

Does it suit a special occasion?

Yes, the age, the cask strength and the limited number of bottles make it well suited as a gift for an anniversary or for a collector who appreciates older Signatory releases.

Is it worth it for a 23 Years Old cask strength whisky?

The long maturation on a single sherry cask and the connection to Signatory's respected name make it attractive compared to other 23 Years Old single cask bottlings from Islay.