Our Rating System
83
Overall Score
83
Nose
85
Palate
81
Finish
January 29th, 2024
@ Home / Portland, OR
David Zumini

Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength

2023 Edition

Distillery

Bunnahabhain

Type

Islay Scotch

Age

12 years

Strength

60.1%

Cask Type

Bourbon
Sherry

Edition

2023

Cask No.

-

Price

$110 / bottle

Tasting Notes

This is a great whisky, all around. A delicious combination of nuts, fruit, and spice. I'd enjoy it year-round, but it kind-of feels like the perfect winter whisky.

At 60.1%, it is undeniably hot, but it still goes down quite easily. A few drops of water mellowed out some of the spice, let the nutty, fruit flavors come forward more, and rounded out the finish. That being said, I really enjoyed it at cask strength, and will likely drink the rest of the bottle without the water.

Appearance

Color

Clarity

Clear
Hazy
Opaque

Legs

Slow
Medium
Fast

Nose

A nutty sweetness comes through, akin to an almond cookie, with a hint of cherry.

Cereal

-

Fruit

Cherry

Organic

-

Spice

-

Wood

-

Other

Almond
Hazelnut

Palate

Quite delicious, with a pleasant blent of spice, fruit, and sweetness.

Sweetness

Dry
Semi-Dry
Medium
Semi-Sweet
Sweet

Mouthfeel

Smooth
Medium
Harsh

Flavor

Light
Medium
Rich

Cereal

-

Fruit

Raisin
Stone Fruits

Organic

-

Spice

Cinnamon
Cloves

Wood

-

Other

Butterscotch
Toffee

Finish

A lingering, spicy finish.

Cereal

-

Fruit

-

Organic

-

Spice

Clove

Wood

-

Other

Chocolate
Hazelnut

Empty Glass

Mellow scents of clove and raisin linger in the empty glass.