Bunnahabhain 2013/2023 Signatory Vintage 9 years old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

On the shore of the Sound of Islay, Bunnahabhain lets time do the work, while the tide between Islay and Jura pulls past the end of the single-track road.

Please note: there is rust and scuffing on the tube and on the bottle's label.

Expert's Description

Bunnahabhain 2013/2023 Signatory Vintage 9 Years Old is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a 1st fill Pinot Noir red wine butt and bottled at 46%.

Signatory Vintage has bought casks from distilleries across Scotland since 1988 and bottled them under its own name, without dressing the spirit up as something it isn't. This Bunnahabhain from 2013 was drawn from two casks, #13 and #15, and spent nine years pulling colour and spice from the red wine wood before being bottled in March 2023.

The base spirit is the distillery's rarer peated make, known as Staoisha, which gives the whisky an extra layer of smoke beneath the wine cask's fruity sweetness – a combination you don't see from Islay every day.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Red berries and a tart wine sweetness meet a faint peaty smoke in the background, tied together by a hint of fresh bread.

Palate

Juicy and full with cherry and blackcurrant, sliding into a warm, spiced smoke and a touch of dark chocolate.

Finish

Medium length and slightly dry, with the smoke the last thing to fade.

Specifications

Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Scotland (Islay)
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 9 Years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: 1st Fill Pinot Noir Red Wine Butt / Cask No. #13 & #15
Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Distillation Method: Double Distilled
Distilled: 09/2013
Bottled: 03/2023
Number of Bottles: 304
Edition: Signatory Vintage
EAN No.: 5021944122493

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Lightly Peated · Wine-Matured · Spicy

Did You Know?

Bunnahabhain's water travels a fair few kilometres from Loch Staoisha, and it's this loch that gives its name to the distillery's peated spirit – the very same spirit behind this bottle's extra smoky edge.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bunnahabhain 2013/2023 Signatory Vintage 9 Years Old

What does Bunnahabhain 2013/2023 Signatory Vintage 9 Years Old taste like?

It offers red berries and wine sweetness from the Pinot Noir cask, combined with a faint smoke from the peated Staoisha spirit underneath. It's an unusual combination for a Bunnahabhain.

Is this whisky smoky?

Yes, but only lightly. The base is the distillery's peated Staoisha spirit, so the smoke sits as an undercurrent beneath the wine cask's fruity sweetness rather than as the dominant note.

What makes this particular bottle special?

It comes from two selected casks, #13 and #15, matured in a 1st fill Pinot Noir red wine butt, giving a rare combination of red wine sweetness and peat smoke.

Should I add water?

At 46% the whisky can easily be enjoyed neat, but a few drops of water can open up the red berries and make the smoke more approachable.

Which glass should I use?

A Glencairn glass gathers the aromas best and gives you the clearest picture of both the fruit and the smoke.

Is Bunnahabhain whisky usually smoky?

No, the distillery's core range is actually known for being unpeated, unlike most other Islay distilleries. This bottle is an exception, since it uses the rarer peated Staoisha spirit.