Bunnahabhain 14 Years

Heavenly 14 years old Bunna from the Barrel Baron 

Funny story about this one. In January, I visited Islay for the first time in some nine years. We dropped in here and there, and also visited the Bunnahabhain Distillery on our last few hours on the island. The ferry would take us to the Kintyre Peninsula for a few days of Campbeltown delight. We had time to spare, but sadly there was no possibility of doing a tour of the warehouse. But the delightful Tilly behind the visitor centre bar did not mind pouring us a few examples of what could have been tasted straight from the cask. Her company, the view of the Sound of Islay, and the whisky warm in the glass instead of ice cold from the cask, made up for everything. My friends and me snagged some nice 20 cl bottles from this or that maturation type and peating level. At the same time, the bottle of Bunnahabhain that I am tasting today was dropped online (on Facebook). My reaction was that I was at the distillery at that very moment, and I could recommend a good, sherried Bunnahabhain to anyone! Not totally without logic, this reaction was considered as a +1 for buying a bottle. A few weeks later, and here we are: the bottle arrived and I am ready to see if I found another heavenly pearl from this always remarkable Islay distillery.

Bunnahabhain 14 years old, bottled at 53,7 % abv by The Barrel Baron

First things first: Aptly named “Bunny Heaven” and accompanied by a funny label, this Islay malt was distilled in September 2010 and bottled in November 2024. Maturation in a sherry butt. It is not known to me what was in the butt before. More information about The Barrel Baron here. 

Upon Sipping: While pouring some samples for people who bought a share from me, I almost thought I detected a pinkish hue in the liquid. The label clearly states sherry butt but for a moment, my mind wandered to a port pipe. But no worries, as soon as I stick my nose in the glass, it is good old dirty Bunnahabhain on sherry taking centre stage. Beautiful damp cask wood, wet staves, hints of gunpowder, and Indonesian spices. Finally, some raisins break through, giving a distinct oloroso vibe to this delightful Bunnahabhain. An idea of rum soaked brown cake with some hazelnuts on top of it. All very rich, complex and rewarding.

Taking a sip, the mouthfeel is pretty solid and compressed, so we will try to solve that with a drop of water later. Swallowing the liquid is, however, very satisfying. Lots of dark demerara rum notes, some pure chocolate and hints of raspberry and roasted nuts. With water: a broader range on the nose even, now also with burned caramel and cinnamon, on top of what was already there. Milk chocolate after some time. This Bunnahabhain keeps on giving. The palate is the weakest link here. It remains a bit closed, walled off, so to say, but then the finish blows the experience away.

On the tongue one would like some gentler touch with fruity notes. On the other hand, this is very recognisable Bunnahabhain.  I am reminded of the cask strength 12 years old official release.

Word to the Wise: A rich and rewarding dram, a good sherry cask, and the traditional stoic Bunnahabhain spirit riding the waves. Happy to have gotten a bottle of this!

Score: 88 points