Here’s a new Bunnahabhain 1987 in the Perfect Dram series.
Fino sherry, the über-dry type, is rarely used for whisky maturation and in my opinion it’s also the least influential of all types of sherry. It can be hard to pin down exactly what the Fino contributed.
Bunnahabhain 25 yo 1987
(49,4%, The Whisky Agency ‘Perfect Dram’ 2013, Fino hogshead, 255 btl.)
Bunnahabhain 25 yo 1987Nose: nicely aromatic. Plenty of citrus notes (grapefruit and lemon) and stewed apples. Subtle notes of whitecurrant and wine gums. Quite some blossomy notes as well. Nice cigar boxes and soft leather. Subtle smoke, coastal notes and wet hay. Big finesse.
Mouth: oily mouthfeel. Berries up front again, and unripe pear. Apple peel. Then the sharper coastal character comes out, with some brine and liquorice. Zesty lemon. Soft earthy notes as well. As a small surprise, it fades on unripe banana with soft vanilla. Some cinnamon and cardamom too.
Finish: medium long, a zesty bitterness with liquorice and herbs.
A nice Bunnahabhain that unfolds slowly but nicely. It’s pretty complex so take your time. Around € 145.
Score: 87/100
ps/ The Nectar of the Daily Drams has a similar but more expensive Bunnahabhain 26 yo at 62,5%, a joint bottling with La Maison du Whisky.