Bunnahabhain 1988 , 28 yo – single malts of scotland : Review

More Lovely whisky coming from SMOS this time of year , and after two lovely young Ledaig, comes an older and very different, though excellent as well Bunnahabhain .  Bunnahabhain is one of those distilleries that do not get as much fame as they should. Located on Islay the Mecca of peated whiskies, it mostly makes unpeated whisky, with bursts of very peated stuff, which is younger and dates to the 1990’s. This however is an older bunny as we tend to call them, no peat whatsoever, and it’s excellent anyways (if you’re worried, peat mongers).

Bunnahabhain 1988-2016, 28yo, 46.8%, cask 100229, [Single Malts of Scotland]

Nose : really delicate and crisp. Creamy vanilla, lovely pristine oak, the faintest hint of sea spray, malt, a touch of waxy goodness, no peat whatsoever but it’s just nice.. So classic and so underwhelming to the palate, but gracegully so, the sum of its parts greater than each separate. Lovely, you get what I mean right? 
 
Palate : great bourbon cask notes here. Toasted oak, coconut, creamy vanilla, maybe some grapefruit pith, pepper and more yummy oak, touch of coffee beans extra toasted, some fresh buns.  dry.. Chewy.
 
Finish: oak, vanilla, pepper and butter spread over muffins.
This is excellent stuff. It’s all about understatement here, it’s not big, bold peaty or sweet, on the contrary – It’s delicate, complex, and elegant. Lovely stuff really. Sold out by now unfortunately, but can’t say I am surprised.

Score: 90/100

 

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