Soba45
Bunnahabhain 18 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
February 27, 2017 (edited January 30, 2022)
Great whisky. Took a bit to get into it but once I tasted against Glendronach 21, Glen Balcalta and others I really rate this. An Islay style Springbank 18 I'd equate it to - not the same flavour exactly but has that oiliness, dry finish and something I can't place my finger on. Came 1st on the night out of several whiskeys we tried. Have an unopened bottle at home so will be interested to see once opened how this one develops. Update. 3 years later I finally opened the bottle for a whiskey tasting with friends. That turned into a bit of a blur with 10 different whiskies tried but now with just 2 others to compare to it definitely needs a rating upgrade. 4.25 is my thinking. Rich lightly smoked cherry flavoured sherry, nice abv balance. At the current price I wouldn't get another bottle as there is better value propositions out there but don't regret buying the bottle.
Update Jan 2020: This is one of the rare bottles which for me gets better and better with time open. It mellows whilst also rounding out further. 4.5
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@Soba45 so did you get the chance to compare both the 12y and the 18y? Interested in your opinion.
@Slainte-Mhath Yeah you are right, I think it's heading to 4.5 territory. Damn nice drop.
@Slainte-Mhath Yes definitely a keeper. I reach for a new sample for excitement and this as a great follow up night cap.
Oh and I have a bottle of the 12 yet to try so I must put those head to head and see how things pan out
Yeah you do get a good indication of whether you like it or not with a sample but I've often found quite measurable differences between that and newly opened full bottles and a well oxygenated bottle. You then factor in all the other variables; what else you've drunk; food; mood and accurate rating isn't an exact science. A score out of 5 makes it easier than 100 i guess though :-)
I have only had a small sample of the standard 12yo and thoroughly enjoyed it. I keep saying I'm going to add the big brother of Bunna's core line and your review just reminded me I need to get on that sooner rather than later. Nice review, Slainte.
Believe me, the opened bottle only gets better... This whisky benefits from just sitting in the flask with some oxigen.