Review #107 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 52.2% Comments: aged 17 years (9 days shy of 18 years), refill cask matured, Hungarian Tokaji white wine cask finished Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Gentle peat smoke, fuzzy peach skins, dried apricots, white grapes, tart grapefruit, and honey. Accompanied by just the faintest hints of sizzling bacon and maple syrup. The peat is present but not overpowering, and well integrated into the other aromas. Palate: 34/40 Nice silky mouthfeel. Oak spice mingles with salty heavily-charred meat. Less so the actual meat, more the flavor of the char and that place where the grill grate seared its mark. There’s a beautiful minerality here as well, further rounded out by sweet honey, juicy grapefruit, and some lemon zest. Finish: 35/40 Long finish. A puff of campfire smoke to start, but it’s well integrated with a dollop of honey and some oak spice. As the smoke fades it reveals lemon rind and a little salt. Gradually it becomes a bit earthy, like a crumbly dry dirt on an ocean cliff side with a stiff sea breeze. The ending note isn’t exactly minty, it’s more like chewing bitter and earthy wintergreen leaf. With Water: A few drops of water brings out some sea spray aromas on the nose, and somewhat dull the oak spice and salt on the palate. And there’s a hint of grilled pork chops on the nose and in the finish. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: It’s no secret amongst those who know me that I really love Bunnahabhain. They are such a diverse distillery, producing beautiful spirit ranging from non-peated to heavily-peated (and everything in-between!), renowned for incredible sherried whiskies, but not afraid to venture into less common cask types. The mark of a great distillery is that it’s not a one-trick pony. I’ve read some less than kind reviews about some of their Móine expressions, but this one is a gem. I have truthfully enjoyed most bottles of Bunnahabhain that I’ve owned, but these expressions with subtle and well integrated peat are my favorites. Glad I got to experience this bottle and am enjoying my time with it, well done! Price: £210 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.