Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch

Product Description

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old: The Unpeated Islay Single Malt

Islay is famous for smoke, and Bunnahabhain is the exception. This 12 Year Old is an unpeated Islay single malt, sweet, sherried, and coastal, with the island’s maritime character but without the heavy peat. It was the start of the distillery’s core range, which the distillery says was launched “to fanfare and praise alike.” It’s non-chill filtered and natural in color, and bottled at 46.3% ABV, and it’s often recommended as the best place to start with Bunnahabhain.

The distillery sits on the northern tip of Islay, where it has been part of the island’s history since 1881, and it draws its water from the Margadale spring. The name is Gaelic for “mouth of the river,” and it’s pronounced roughly “boon-a-HAV-en.”

How Bunnahabhain 12 Is Made

Bunnahabhain 12 is made from malted barley, distilled in wide-shouldered, squat stills that are known for producing an oily, rich spirit. It’s matured for twelve years in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, and then it’s bottled at 46.3% ABV with no chill filtration and no added coloring. That keeps the oils and texture in the glass, which is why it feels fuller than its price suggests. The brand describes the spirit as robust and oily, a style that stands up to full sherry maturation.

Tasting Notes

Color: Russet gold.

Nose: Fresh and aromatic, fruity and floral, with hints of dried fruit and a subtle touch of smoke.

Palate: Light, with fruit notes and nutty flavors, a gentle sweetness, and slight hints of vanilla and caramel.

Finish: Long and lingering, beautifully rich and full-bodied, with a hint of sea salt.

Food Pairings

The nutty, fruity, and salty notes pair well with smoked salmon, oysters, and aged cheeses. It also goes with dried fruit, almonds, dark chocolate, and fruitcake.

Serving Suggestions

Serve it neat in a tulip glass, with a few drops of water to open up the fruit and nuts. At 46.3% ABV it’s bold enough to sip without ice. It’s a good first Islay for anyone who finds peated whiskies too smoky, and a good bottle for Scotch drinkers who love sherry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bunnahabhain 12 peated? No. It’s an unpeated Islay single malt, with only a subtle touch of smoke.

What proof is it? 92.6 proof (46.3% ABV).

Is it non-chill filtered? Yes, and it has natural color.

What casks does it use? Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

How do you pronounce it? Roughly “boon-a-HAV-en.” It’s Gaelic for “mouth of the river.”

Is it a good first Islay? Yes. It’s the usual recommendation for drinkers who want Islay character without heavy smoke.

Is it a good gift? Yes. It’s a respected, non-chill filtered single malt with a distinctive bottle.

Explore More

Want to explore more of this distillery? Shop the full Bunnahabhain collection for the 18 Year, special releases, and the peated Toiteach. Browse our Scotch Whisky collection for more single malts.

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