Bunnahabhain Canasta Cask Maturation (Fèis Ìle 2023)

It is notably unpeated and has a bold Sherry taste. On the sweet end, but does not taste its abv, verybpleasant to sip.

I picked this up with a gift card and it's my first foray into Bunnahabhain. It's 51.2% and although it doesn't taste like this, I've brought it down to about 47%. Nose: This is quite rich. The predominant aroma I get is cinnamon toast. I also get vanilla, creme brulee, and some dark cherries. Palate: There is a dark richness immediately here. Brown sugar, cherry pie, molasses, etc. But there is some leather and spiciness with some cinnamon and black pepper percolating through. Finish: The sides of the tongue develop a delicious burn from the sherry that combines with a tanniny dryness on the roof of the mouth to create a delightful sensation. The spice hangs sround for some time and there is a delicious bitterness that complements the spice and deep sweetness. Overall, although I would probably prefer to turn down the sherry a notch, this is great and I would definitely recommend it. I'm looking forward to trying other Bunnahabhain iterations.

Some fruit flavors in this offering. Mild smokiness. Smooth after just a few minutes of ice ball, but maintains lots of flavor while drinking. Fairly complex scotch, but very drinkable at the same time. Very good overall.

Feis ile is always a great time where Islay's distilleries release new beauties. This 2023, Bunnahabhain made two releases; one a Manzanilla Cask super expensive and fancy one; and this Bunnahabhain Canasta Cask matured. Canasta is the spanish word for "basket", which has nothing to do here, since Canasta apparently is also a type of Oloroso Sherry. Well, this one has been bottled at a beautiful 51.2%abv, with a lovely tawny color. On the nose tjis is quite impressive. Orange peel, a tangerine caramel; Sawdust and white chocolate. Apple peel, crushed almonds. It is freaking aromatic! After a first sip, it became creamy beautiful on the nose. It smells like a "brigadeiro" sweet.  The citrus here is out of this world. Perfect score on the nose. On the palate, it is great, with an starting white chocolate like "Ritter"; impalpable sugar and orange acidity. On the second sip i got this marvelous sugary note with milk. Aftertaste was good, but not aa impressive as the palate and nose. Sawdust; hay. Maybe a little overly oaky. Overall, this is a very enjoyable single malt for a very affordable price. I truly believe Bunnhabhain did a great job in this one and if i ever cross paths with this one again, i will not hesitate to buy it once more. A proper dram, my score for it is 91 over 100.