Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt
Distell International · Bunnahabhain Distillery, Port Askaig, Islay
Bunnahabhain is Islay's best-kept secret precisely because it refuses to play the smoke card. While its neighbours compete on peat levels, Bunnahabhain builds complexity through sherry cask maturation and an unpeated spirit that lets the malt character breathe. The 12 Year Old is the entry point to a distillery that rewards loyalty — drink it beside a heavily peated Islay malt and you'll understand the full range of what this island can do. The contrast is revelatory.
Nose
Dried fruit, honey, malt, toasted almonds, a subtle floral background note, and the faintest whisper of coastal air
Palate
Rich and approachable — raisins, honey, orange peel, warming spice, malt, and a distinctive maritime brine that keeps each sip honest
Finish
Medium length, warm and satisfying, with dried fruit, sherry sweetness, and a salted caramel fade
- Distillation
- Double distilled in large copper pot stills
- Maturation
- First-fill and refill ex-Oloroso sherry casks
- Chill-Filtered
- Non-chill filtered, natural colour
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Northern Shore: 2 oz Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old · ½ oz Oloroso sherry · 3 dashes orange bitters · twist of orange peel. Stir over ice 40 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe. Express and garnish with the orange twist.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Smoked salmon on oatcakes with crème fraîche — the maritime character in both pulls the pairing into perfect alignment.
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