Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

­This whisky seems to have some mixed reviews on Connosr, so it was with some trepidation that I forked out my cash for a bottle. However, this is the new version from Burn Stewart, who have made all their whiskies 46.3% unchillfiltered, which sounds like a good thing to me.

Nose – Firstly some sugared almonds and sherry character, icing sugar, caramel and sweet baked pear, sultanas and cinnamon. Develops into leather with a touch of salt. With water it becomes dusty, roasted flavours, a slight gravy note, porter and coffee liqueur.

­Palate – Sweet, soft arrival with baked pear, cinnamon, brown sugar caramel, sultanas and raisins. Quickly develops into a pronounced nuttiness, roasted hazelnuts, praline, milk chocolate and Irish coffee, and a hint of burnt toffee, with intensity at the back of the tongue. Then some peppery spice at the back of the mouth and some salt. ­ Finish – Nutty, walnuts, hazelnuts, some marzipan, and toasted oak and cinnamon, black coffee, dark chocolate, stout and a hint of biscuit notes. Later, a touch of cloves. Medium long and slightly sweet and bitter. ­ The nose starts off slightly lacking intensity, but open up with water, albeit with some unusual flavours. Then the palate and the finish are absolutely delicious with those wonderful nutty, coffee and chocolate notes throughout. Reminds me a little bit of stout or porter. I can understand if some people didn't like the flavour profile of this one, but for me it's excellent, certainly a favourite.

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