This is the first Bunnahabhain in the Elements of Islay series. It’s a peated version from an otherwise unpeated Islay distillery.
Bunnahabhain Bn1
(55,6%, Elements of Islay 2011, 50 cl)
Bunnahabhain Bn1Nose: peated, no doubt. Rather deep smoke with a hint of rubber. Very sweet too, especially when diluted: big notes of honey, barley and quite some vanilla, which make this a nicely warm nose. Sweet apples. Citrus candy. Almonds. Medicinal notes in the background.
Mouth: big and oily with punchy peat again. That same hint of rubber to start off, quickly overtaken by sweet apple and pear (makes me think it’s not too old). Lemon. Big pepper, a little ginger and a few briny hints and tar towards the end.
Finish: rather long and smoky with notes of salty liquorice and citrus zest.
This Bunnahabhain is fairly simple but packed with punch and it features a lovely nose. Even though peated spirit is not its core business, Bunnahabhain sure knows how to present this style. Check it out if you like a young, peaty profile. Around € 50.
Score: 85/100