Bunnahabhain - 17-19 April 2009 - 7pm GMT

[Matt2]

Welcome to the Bunnahabhain Live Forum Tasting.

The Whiskies

• Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old
• Bunnahabhain 14 Years Old Port Finish
• Bunnahabhain 18 Years Old
• Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old
• And any other Bunnahabhains you may have...

Date and Time

• Friday 17th April 7:00pm GMT - Sunday 19th April

Handy Links

• Live Tasting Page
• Bunnahabhain Tastings from Whisky Magazine
• Bunnahabhain Official Website

Start time - 7:00pm GMT

About...
For those of you who do not know what these are about, they run for generally 12+ hours and we all sit down (at various times) to taste a range of whiskies and share our notes and comments on the forum. Have a look in the Live Tasting forum for past events.

They are a great way to meet people on the forum, chat about your experiences and learn something new about the whiskies you have, and we all end up having a good time.

Please feel free to join in and post any comments or tasting notes you have. Tasting notes can be added using the Tasting Note tab on the postings page. (Note, the Age field on the tasting must be a number such as 7,9,10,18)

We look forward to seeing you on Friday evening...

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[Ganga]

Thank you Matt. Always nice to have the Live Tasting functioning.

Well, depending on scheduling, I will be out for a little bit tonight and maybe mid-afternoon tomorrow. Hopefully, everyone can join in over the weekend.

[LagaDrinker]

I'll be in briefly tomorrow

[pkt77242]

Getting ready to pour my only dram of Bunnahabhain. A Signatory UCF 9yo peated from a refill sherry butt.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Bunnahabhain
Brand : Signatory Expression : -
Nose : coal, campfire smoke, slight rubber, and dried cherry. Palate : campfire, cigar smoke, coal, slight rubber taste (maybe rubber bands), cooked cherry. Some peat comes through but seems to be really smoke with just a little peat. Some vegetal notes, asparagus, etc. Finish : Finish is rather long. the smoke seems to hang around in your mouth for ages. Kind of like smoking a cigar how even after you finish it you can still taste it for a long time. Comment : A wonderful whisky, a little closed when I first opened the bottle but now that it is down to the 2/3 mark or so it has really opened up. If you like smokey whiskies this is for you. Colour : Dark Gold Score : 0
Age : 9yo Years Old Vintage : 1997 ABV : 46% Bottler : -	Type : Single Malt Region : Islay Water : None Ice : None Glass : Reidel SMS Notes : Peated Refill Sherry Cask 5268
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Sean

[Wave]

-
Brand : Bunnahabhain Expression : -
Nose : Berries, apples and the slightest whiff of peat. A clear morning after a rainy night. Palate : Creamy and bursting of raspberries and red fruits followed with a touch of honey and peat Finish : Chewy and long, apple wood and peat with late sea salt Comment : - Colour : bright gold Score : 85
Age : 28 Years Old Vintage : 1977 ABV : 49.1% Bottler : Scott's Selection	Type : Single Malt Region : Islay Water : None Ice : None Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Cheers!

[Ganga]

Bunnahabhain 19
Brand : Adelphi Expression : 19 yo
Nose : sweet cocoa powder, lightly smokey, verathane Palate : old hay Finish : long, lemony old straw, tangerine-orange drink Comment : - Colour : polished brass Score : 0
Age : 19 Years Old Vintage : 1982 ABV : 52.9% Bottler : Adelphi	Type : Single Malt Region : Islay Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Yeah, I know, it's late. I do have to say that some water really lightens the whisky. More of a malt on the palate than straw once the water is added.

Well, I will come back and join everyone for a bit tomorrow although it is going to be a busy day.

[matthew2512]

Good evening all (or probably good morning for most of you). I will pop in a bit later with samples of the 18 and 25 OB.

[Spirit of Islay]

Hi Gang ,
Looking forward to The tasting tonight , have a few of John's Finest at hand but i may have to narrow it down from the 16 i've found......
See you shortly !

[Willie JJ]

Hi Gordon
I have only found three, (unless I start opening a lot of bottle). We'll see how it goes.

[Willie JJ]

Single Malts of Scotland 27yo 46% - Bunnahabhain (Thanks to Gordon and Ras for both sending me samples of this)

Tasted: 18/04/2009
Nose: Soft fruits, pears, sweet grain, old wood, nearly musty but not quite.
Palate: Stewed white fruits, citrus fruits, barley sugar, the wood spice is big, but oh so gentle,
Finish: So long! The wood spice continues in waves of varying intensity, mixed in with a lovely sweetness
Comment: Bloody Brilliant! Sold out!

[Spirit of Islay]

First one of the night......
Expression - Bunnahabhain 12 O.B.
Age - 12yo
ABV - 40%
Colour - Polished Gold
Nose - Sweet , Edinburgh Rock , Sea Air , a touch of smoke ? Maybe even a bit of maltiness .
Palate - Malty , butterscotch , bit of green fruits
Finish - Medium finish , malty , slight Vanilla .
Comments - Took me a long time to fully appreciate this malt , a very refreshing and easy drinking dram .

[Willie JJ]

First one of the night......
Expression - Bunnahabhain 12 O.B.
Age - 12yo
ABV - 40%
Colour - Polished Gold
Nose - Sweet , Edinburgh Rock , Sea Air , a touch of smoke ? Maybe even a bit of maltiness .
Palate - Malty , butterscotch , bit of green fruits
Finish - Medium finish , malty , slight Vanilla .
Comments - Took me a long time to fully appreciate this malt , a very refreshing and easy drinking dram .

Much under-rated and unfairly put down IMO Gordon

I agree.

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Bunnahabhain 18yo
Age - 18yo
ABV - 43%
Colour - Ruby
Nose - Light Sherry , Butterscotch , dried fruits , cake mix , touch of smoke ?
Palate - Very oily , Vanilla , Spices , dried fruits , dry sherry .
Finish - Not too long , sherry , dry .
Comments - Definitely a better dram than the 12 , very enjoyable .

[Spirit of Islay]

Much under-rated and unfairly put down IMO Gordon

Totally agree Nick , like i said it took me a long time to get into this , infact i would say that it was the last Islay distillery i really got into , took some stunning old Bunnies to make me really sit up and take notice of it !

[Willie JJ]

stunning old Bunnies

Sounds like a kids ninja cartoon.

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Bunnahabhain Darach Ur
ABV - 46.3%
Colour - Light Amber
Nose - The traditional "Christmas Cake" , Dried fruit , spices , Cake mix , Dark Chocolate and of course sherry . Poking through all this is my favourite smell/taste of Bunnie , Edinburgh Rock !
Palate - Coats the palate wonderfully , very oily , Again the full Christmas Cake , Edinburgh Rock , Chocolate/cocoa .
Finish - Very long , Dried fruits , spices , sherry , Chocolate .
Comments - Batch No.1 .This is Bunnahabhain pure gold , how Bunnie should be ! Can we have all Bunnie at 46%+ please ?

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Bunnahabhain 1966 Feis Ile .
Year - 1966
Age - 35yo
ABV - 46.1%
Cask / Bottle No. - 4379 / 1 of 401
Colour - Deep Mahogany
Nose - Wow , really strong dry sherry , Currants , spices , again a touch of smoke , what a wonderful nose !
Palate - Dry sherry , Cola Cube sweets , touch of vanilla , great mouthfeel , glorious stuff !
Finish - Long , sherried , touch of pepper and spices .
Comments - Dist 16/5/1966 , Bottled 16/3/2002 . They certainly selected great sherry butts in the 60's ! An absolute gem , no nasties , just pure enjoyment !

[Willie JJ]

Darrach Ur batch 1, 46.3% - Bunnahabhain

Colour Burnt Umber
Nose Just get that most un-Bunnie like peat hit first of all. Then the sherry creeps through with the oranges and grapefruit and I can see where Gordon is coming from with the Edinburgh Rock thing. And some cinnamon that I never noticed before.
Palate Fabulous citrus. Really mouthwatering and juicy. Then those sizzling spices as it develops.
Finish Not getting the tannins so strongly tonight, more like a big spice hit. Lovely long finish though.
Comment: I've heard some folk say they don't like this one. I can't understand it. I think this is magic stuff and I totally agree with Gordon that the step up to 46(.3)% bottling strength and the lack of chill-filtration makes a huge difference to bottlings from Bunnahabhain.

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Bunnahabhain 14yo Pedro Ximenez Finish
Age - 14yo
ABV - 52.6%
Cask / Bottle No. - 2 / 1 of 761
Colour - Deep Amber
Nose - Sweet sherry , Dark Chocolate , Cocoa , Creamy Fudge ,
Palate - Very dry , Chocolate , Glace cherries , a touch of Confectioners Sugar .
Finish - Long , dry and chocolatey .
Comments - Bottled 26/04/06 . A very unusual Bunnie , nicely balanced in that the PX isn't overpowering . Can't wait to try the Manzanilla.....

[Spirit of Islay]

Last of the O.b. 's for tonight.....
Expression - Bunnahabhain Moine
Year - 1997
Age - 6yo
ABV - 59.6%
Cask / Bottle No. - 3180 / 1 of 310
Colour - Pale Gold
Nose - Intense Peatiness , very youthful but not overwhelming , a touch of chocolate , infact loads of chocolate .
Palate - Very smooth on the palate for it's age and strength , again bags of peat but also chocolate and a creamy fudginess
Finish - Long , creamy , peaty .
Comments - The original peated Bunnie and a corker ! No one really knew of it's existence till it's release . I've been privileged to have tried this at various ages from the cask in Bunnahabhains warehouses and i can't figure out why the distillery hasn't released their stock yet . It can give the other Islay peats a run for their money !

[Willie JJ]

It can give the other Islay peats a run for their money !

Agreed! I certainly think it shows up the peated Laddies.

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Signatory Cask Strength Bunnahabhain
Year - 1978
Age - 27yo
ABV - 55.6%
Cask / Bottle No. - Sherry Butt 2542 / 362 of 509
Colour - Amber
Nose - Initially light sherry , spices , dried fruits , then Edinburgh Rock / Confectioners Sugar .
Palate - Big sherry mouthfeel , dry , Edinburgh Rock , spices and Peppermint .
Finish - Long and dry , sherry .
Comments - Dist 30/3/1978 , Bott 08/2/2006 . Another really nice aged Bunnahabhain .

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - A.D.Rattray Cask Collection Bunnahabhain 31yo
Year – 1976
Age – 31yo
ABV - 49.4%
Cask / Bottle No. - Refill Sherry Butt 6223 / 1 of 529
Colour - Burnt Gold
Nose – The Archetypal Christmas Cake in a Glass ! Also Cola Cubes and Edinburgh Rock .
Palate - Flows across the palate with great ease , Usual Bunnie properties ( Edinburgh Rock etc) , very smooth sherry , great stuff !
Finish - long , sherry , Sweet.
Comments - Dist 18/11/1976 , Bott 07/07/2008 . An absolutely stunning sherried Bunnahabhain . Shows they were continuing in the 70's what they'd started in the 60's ! Producing top notch whisky maturing in great casks !

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Signatory Cask Strength Heavily Peated 1997
Year - 1997
Age - 9yo
ABV - 59%
Cask / Bottle No. - Refill Sherry Butt 5272 / 61 of 645
Colour - Polished Bronze .
Nose - Very strong on the nasal hair ! Peat , Bunnie Sweetness and sherry .
Palate - Intense peaty spiritiness . not much sherry , a touch Cola cubes with a hint of my favourite Bunny taste ....Edinburgh Rock !
Finish - Long and warming, soft peatiness .
Comments - Dist 01/12/1997 , Bott 12/02/2007 . A fairly easy drinking Bunnie , well balanced and no nasties floating about .

[Spirit of Islay]

ok that's my lot for tonight , may post some more tomorrow .

[Willie JJ]

Signatory 9yo 1997-2007 59.1% - Bunnahabhain, refill sherry butt, cask 5272, bottle 375/645

Colour Amber
Nose Stunning! This is one of the peated Bunnies that would give any Islay malt a run for its money. Smoked bacon, barbecues, salt air, smoked fish, cured ham, peat fire, TCP, a little dried tea and new leather. But the sherry is in there too: cream and cocoa, and even a hint of linseed which is surprising in a 9yo.
Palate Huge smoky delivery. The intensity of it is amazing. Smoked meats, tar, burnt oranges, sizzling bacon on the tongue.
Finish Immense, enduring, mouth-watering spicy and delicious.
Comment: I loved this stuff. Sadly, the 10cl I took out of the end of the bottle is nearly gone now. Should've bought another.

[Willie JJ]

That's me done too. Cheers Gordon.

[Reggaeblues]

I quote:

"Yes we have no Bunnanahabhains..."

Sadly.

Reading y'alls notes makes me very curious to investigate.

Only ever had the 12. Three in fact. One bought, two gifts, both chosen on account of my surname being the last 4 letters of Bunnahabhain....

My mum's was cute. Lucie was pregnant with our first child. Mum gave me, to celebrate, a whisky with a doctored label. it read

"Bunn-in-the-ovhain."

Tasty stuff it was.

Well, i must be "Westering Ho" to my bed. Another gig tomorrow at 4.

[Ras Mazunga]

Completely forgot about this tasting.

Although I've had more than 2 units and just poured a Laphroaig QC, I decided to open a Bunnahabhain 10yo 1997 cask 5358 46% the Ultimate nc nc.

[Ryguy]

Tonight I'm going to taste the one and only sample of Bunnahabhain that I have here. Signatory CS 1997/2007 9yo, 59%, Cask 5272. Note to follow.

Many thanks to Gilles Deleuze for this sample!!

[Ryguy]

Bunnahabhain 9yo
Brand : Bunnahabhain Expression : 9 yo
Nose : Really big on the nose with a nice mix of sherry and peat here, what a very nice pairing! I could nose this all day, loads of smokey bbque'd meats with some sea salt and some iodine. Palate : Nice balance of sweet and smoke, reminds me a bit of bacon grease (in a good way). Very tasty! Finish : Long and lasting, the peat is very evident in the fnish, but not overpowering, just right! Comment : This is a very nice bottling of Bunnie! I very much enjoyed this one. Colour : Light Amber Score : 0
Age : 9 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 59%% Bottler : Signatory CS	Type : - Region : - Water : None Ice : None Glass : SMWS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Fantastic notes here guys, although I don't understand Edinburgh Rocks. A little later I'm going to revist my one Bunnie but in a nice big fishbowl brandy.

[Ras Mazunga]

Bunnahabhain 1997 10yo refill butt no. 5358 the Ultimate:
n: grass, laundry, starch, icing sugar,white pepper, hints of vanilla,
t: sandy, white chocolate, burned grass, leaves
f: spicy with dry grass, a little sulphur
c: first glass from this bottle was terrible. npw having the fourth and it's getting better