Bunnahabhain 12 Year

Not what one expects from an Islay. A mellow easy drink.

Don’t go in expecting the classic Islay smokey peat on this one but it definitely shows a different side of the Islay region.

Very light peat, comes in after a moment and stays for a while.

very strong nose, burns. Light body, peaty, simple flavor yet rewarding overall. Very soft finish with a soft callback

I special ordered this from the PLCB (Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board). This one is in the new bottling, dark and gold lettering like the 18 yr. Having started my Scotch whisky education very recently with South Islay products, this Northern one is a very different experience. I like it, but not for the usual reasons, and all but the finish. Previous Scotch exposure was to Special Reserve 12 yr Glenfiddich and similar non/light peated Scotch. This whisky quickly shows fine legs all around holding promise and noses quite well, like an English Christmas Pudding ... but the dram is a bit of a muddle for me. The taste on the tongue has the right heat for the proof with a fair nasal vapor but seems too congested and mainly sweet fruit with a touch of dark spice. At the end of the swallow I do get just the faintest hint of smoke and meat in the far recesses but it disappears quickly and veers to something like mild BBQ. The finish is quite ordinary for me as well. I get simple wood and a sour aftertaste and not much more. An ice chip or two improves things a little and drawing in some air with the sip seems to always help to round out any dram. But I can only think that this whisky is yet another example of why I need truly peated, smokey Scotch whisky. Note to self: Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig - check, now I should chase the Octomores. This one will still be fine for sharing and tasting with friends or sipping on a cool Fall day, but not much more. Another bottle for the Collection and as always, I'm glad for the experience. $58 in PA