Bunnahabhain 1980 cask #92 (Whisky-Doris)

Whisky-Doris has two new releases: Bowmore 2003 and Bunnahabhain 1980. It has been matured for 33 years in a sherry butt.

 

Bunnahabhain 33yo 1980 Whisky-DorisBunnahabhain 33 yo 1980 (45,6%, Whisky-Doris 2013, sherry butt #92, 460 btl.)

Nose: a delicate nose, on dried flowers, soft honey and allspice. A subtle fruitiness of orange peel and lemon cake. Candied ginger. Overall rather dry and waxy. Some old-style oak and walnut husks. The lightest hint of sea breeze as well. All rather discreet, but pretty complex, it grows on you.

Mouth: dry with lots of herbal notes, liquorice and a load of oak juice and nuts (without becoming astringent though). Yellow apples and orange peel again, mixed with soft pepper and a pinch of salt. A bit of bitter grassiness towards the end. Maybe Fino sherry?

Finish: medium long, dry, with apple peel, liquorice root and nutmeg.

A herbal, oak-infused Bunnahabhain that steps out of the box at times but manages to keep you interested. It could be mistaken for an old-style, discreet Speysider. Around € 170.

Score: 87/100