Bunnahabhain is probably my favourite 'non-smoky' distillery. This whisky is matured entirely in sherry casks for 24 years and it definitely shows in its colour.
The nose is of burnt sugar with ripe red fruits and cooked berries. Raisins, Sultanas, even fig are apparent. Hint of blackcurrant and do I even detect liquorice? Very very slightly smoky. It's a bit of a summer fruit cocktail with bits of Christmas thrown in for good measure.
More of the same on the palate - it's sweet but not overly so. I'm finding of the fruits in the nose blackcurrant seems to come through the most on the palate. Underneath that though is a flavour akin to Christmas Pudding - sugared sultanas with a touch of vanilla in there too. A very very slight touch of peatiness evident too.
The finish is fairly long. Initially warming, fading to a slight bitterness and then drying.
I've never had a bad bottle from Berry Bros and this one again is excellent. I think it even beats my previous favourite Bunna - the distillery bottled Manzanilla cask 16YO.
Pricey (£90+) but definitely one to take time on and savour.
This sounds delicious! I've been keeping an eye on this and wondering whether or not I should pick one up and I may just have to now. Thanks for the review.
Great whisky indeed, had this at a BB&R tasting last week.