BUNNAHABHAIN SHOWDOWN Bunnahabhain 13 Year Marsala Finish Bunnahabhain 18 Year My experience with Bunnahabhain is limited to the 12 year and the two bottles here. I’ve not had either in some time. While I’ve always liked the 18, I recall not caring for the 13 year marsala finish. Let’s see how this goes. Bunnahabhain 13 Year Marsala Finish Clear dark orange amber color. Notes of honey, biscuity blueberry scone, pine rosin, coffee. There’s an unexpected (to me) raspberry or lingonberry note as well. There’s some dates on the palate, as well as a touch of bitterness (this is what I recall not caring for when I last tasted it two to three years ago), finishing with some spiciness that leads to brown sugar and vanilla. Limited release exclusively for the US market. Non chill filtered; no statement about coloring (though it is slightly lighter than the Bunny 18 which does not have added coloring). Aged for 10 years in ex-bourbon casks, followed by three years in marsala wine casks. 46.3% ABV. While there are different notes and flavors, it is more interesting than it is complex: there are still aspects of this whisky that I cannot quite elucidate after 30 minutes of nosing and tasting, and it comes across as a little disjointed. 3.5 on the Distiller scale. Bunnahabhain 18 Year Clear, orange mahogany color; slightly darker than the Bunny 13. There is a tangy, barbeque sauce quality on the nose (think Heinz 57), dried speck, oak, dark toffee, dates, and some sherry sweetness. More sherry on the palate, with espresso and some noticeable ethanol. The BBQ twang makes a brief cameo on the finish as well, with lingering vanilla sweetness. Non chill filtered; no added coloring. Aged in ex-sherry casks. 46.3% ABV. Very nice. 4.0 on the Distiller scale.