Bunnahabhain 12 Year

This is not an introduction to the peaty Islay profile because there is no peat. Nose: salt, spice, and citrus dominate with sherry and banana in the background. Palate: very spicy and salty with warm, rich mouthfeel. On the finish, I get cereal and banana. Water sweetens and balances the palate and makes it less salty/citrusy, at the cost of a shorter finish. Letting the dram breathe for 30+ minutes brings out some chocolate notes with a fishy/briny aftertaste. An unusual light Islay whisky that actually pairs well with seafood. 83/100. Worth the 55 USD spent on 750 mL bottle.

Da non prendere

I'm running another whisky, poker and home brewed beer night shortly and one of the whiskies I'm bringing will be Bunnahabhian 12. Now whiskies don't always taste the best fresh out of the bottle so I thought I'd take one for the team and crack open the bottle before hand. I'm impressed. It's an oily malty nutty taste, Springbank 15ish in a mild uncomplicated way. After trying the remaining amounts of my Benriach 12,16 and Macallan 12 bottles (also to be sacrificed to the mob) and not being that impressed this was a refreshing change. The crazy part is the price. I saw it on special recently here for just over $40USD! That's probably the best value for money I've ever seen. High threes for taste and value for $ takes it well over the 4 mark. I note from cascode's review that an opened bottle oxidises quite quickly though so good job it'll be finished off in 3 weeks time

I'm not getting a lot of the sweet being touted here, maybe a salted raisin or two and very quick to pass. Maybe the ghost of the raisin lingers... Longish hot finish, very drying, with salt and pepper lingering to tuck you in at night. 50ml bottle though??????