So, I’m finally finished plowing through our third round of distillery samples in the tour group. This Bunnahabhain was provided by our newest member, Telex. I didn’t have too many expectations here because this NAS is on the cheaper side, but boy-oh-boy was I mistaken. This one was quite possibly one of the most refreshing whisky experiences I’ve had in awhile. The Ceobanach, don’t ask me how to pronounce it, is a pale yellow in the tasting glass and comes in at a slightly elevated 46.3% ABV. My experience with Bunna is quite limited- I’ve only had the 12 year to this point, but that was a nice dram and this one is a winner as well. The nose is a wonderful blast of seafaring notes: seaweed, salt, brine with a nice citrusy overlay. It smells like what I imagine an old sailing vessel would smell like. The peat adds an extra dimension and some smoke comes and goes like the waves of the ocean. While I wouldn’t dare say it’s inviting, it’s just a sensory thing to me. Very interesting and, I gotta say, cool. The palate falls in line with the nose. Salt, seaweed and peat smoke that winds its way towards pepper and oak barrel notes. It’s drying towards the end, but that feels appropriate and welcome IMO. The finish is medium length, smoky and sun-dried peat wrestle again with the lemony citrus zing. Salty and dry leaving your lips feeling like the first night you got sunburn on your face. What can I say, this is more of an “experience” in a glass, than a thirst quenching dram. It hits the spot if you know what to expect going in (and if that’s what you’re feeling at the time). If you take your time with the nosing it will lead you down the path that this whisky wants you to take and for that I give it a bump in score. Flavor profile, mouthfeel, etc- this is a 3-3.5 star juice, but if you follow the path it’s asking it’s a 4-4.25 star experience. I really liked that. Thanks again to Jason for sending this one my way. Bon voyage, my friends.