BUNNAHABHAIN 46 YEAR OLD
Bunnahabhain 46 years
This whisky is the latest super premium release from Bunnahabhain The whisky is from a single second-fill ex-Oloroso sherry butt that was hand selected by Andrew Brown, the Distillery Manager at Bunnahabhain. This cask was maturing in Warehouse #4 at the distillery.
Bunnahabhain also known as ‘Eich Bhana Lìr’ – meaning “the great waves of the God Lìr” – Bunnahabhain’s 46 year old expression is named in tribute to God Lìr, the Gaelic God of the sea. According to Gaelic mythology, God Lìr would use his great white waves to wash ashore his most precious gifts.
There are only 198 bottles and it is released at the natural cask strength of 41.8% ABV.
The colour is deep amber and the nose is packed with spicy and fruity aromas. The spices have a woody and warming feel to them (think of gingerbread, cedarwood and cinnamon in particular) and the fruitiness is distinctly tropical. Dried pineapple and mango aromas mingle with those of toffee, caramel, beeswax and a hint of burnt orange.
On the palate this whisky feels very soft and the spices from the nose are more delicate. They remain warming, but seem dustier and earthier. There are hints of all-spice, cinnamon and ground ginger. The distinct tropical fruity notes also remain – the dried pineapple and mango characteristics are joined by some stewed apple, fresh peach and dried apricot. Background notes of mil chocolate, coffee grounds and an earthy whiff of peat smoke add further depth and complexity.
With a dash of water the fruit notes become more prominent, particularly the peach and apricot. The dusty and earthy spices are knocked back slightly and a hint of bitter tobacco leaf is revealed. The finish is sweet and fruity, becoming drier as the spices take hold.
