Bunnahabhain 12 Year

Nose: Fragrant and inviting, with aromas of malt, honey, cereal, sherry, hazelnuts, and fudge. Some subtle briny maritime notes and a slightly herbal edge. Very mellow. Palate: The arrival is soft, featuring sherry and nuts - hazelnuts, sweet fresh walnuts, brazil nuts. In the development a strong ale-like flavour arises that is reminiscent of wash. Very malty and yeasty with molasses, chocolate and dried fruits (raisins, dark cherries, dates, figs). The only downside is a slight bitter/sour flavour. Finish: Sweet sherry flavours fade to a dry briny finish with echoes of the ale-like flavours. A pleasant whisky, unpeated unlike most Islay whiskies, and unlike most of the new NAS expressions from Bunnahabhain. The only criticisms I can mention are that it has a tendency to oxidise and gain sourness over time. "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars)

I think Bunnahabhain's decision to up the ABV, ditch the chill filtering, and stop adding color to their single malts paid off in spades. The nose has a lovely rich, malty sweetness with a lot of floral character. The nuttiness makes me think there's a fair amount of sherry-cask aging, which would also explain the dark color. It's not complex, but it is mouthwatering. The palate confirms that it's sherry-aged -- raisins and fudge all day. It's sweet, but in an austere rather than decadent way, which distinguishes it from a Speyside dram. On the finish I get raisins, dates, and a tiny bit of brininess, with a long-lasting chest warming afterglow.

Nice, gentle, possibly the least-peated Islay.