Tasting two new old Bunnahahain

December 13, 2013

Tasting two new old Bunnahabhain

There are still old Bunnahabhains around and many are very fairly priced. Thumbs up! Unless, of course, the whiskies are flat and tired...

Bunnahabhain 33 yo 1980/2013 (45%, James MacArthur, Fine Malt Selection, bourbon, cask #84)

Around €120, that's fair! Colour: gold. Nose: archetypical old style Bunnahabhain, that is to say an elegant combination of meadow flowers, overripe apples, soft honey and roasted peanuts. It's all pleasantly discreet and maybe a tad feminine (I know, I know). Would rather go on with apple peeling, walnuts, a little malt and touches of orange peel. This one could have been an old official. Lovely nose. Mouth: granted, the palate is a wee tad more, say ordinaire, but it's still lovely and most drinkable. Apple and orange juices, nuts, light honey and a little chocolate. Tends to become a little too grassy, but that remains all fine. Finish: of medium length and even more on apple juice. Good freshness. Comments: maybe not a contest whisky but it's so easy and very quaffable that I'll go for an excellent - and much deserved - score. Great nose. SGP:541 - 87 points.

Bunnahabhain 40 yo 1973/2013 (46.2%, Acla Selection, refill butt, 167 bottles)

The bottlers, Acla da Fans, are located in Martina in the eastern part of Switzerland. It's a tax-free place. Colour: pale gold. Nose: we're in the very same family, this is a typically flowery Bunnahabhain. What's really striking is the total absence of any signs of old age, and the beautiful honey/flowers combination. This is actually pure honey for a while, before I start to find apples and tea (delicate orange pekoe). Love this nose. Mouth: yes! We aren't far from the 1980 but this has rather more depth as well as an entrancingly fresh fruitiness. So it's a 'fruitsalady' old Bunnahabhain, with apples, oranges, slices of bananas and even a little pear. A few green tannins make it a notch fizzy but that's a sort of an asset in this context. Almost forgot to mention the obligatory honey... Finish: medium length, touches of cider now, more oranges and a little cinnamon. Comments: the fact that it's so fresh and, above all, not oaky, has to be rewarded. But warning, it tends to go down too quick. SGP:651 - 90 points.

Check the index of all Bunnahabhain I've tasted so far