I bought a miniature of this classic Islay single malt a while ago and it got lost in the madness of my sample backlog. After reading some favorable reviews I decided it’s time to move it to the front of the line. Bunnahabhain is the northernmost distillery on Islay and they are the least peated as well (unless you consider their heavily peated line) at 3ppm. This 12 year old is bottled at 46.3% ABV, non chill filtered and natural color of amber honey. It’s a blend of about 70/30 bourbon/sherry casks. The nose has a quick hit of alcohol followed by a wave of butterscotch. It’s very grassy as well. Bourbon soaked oak chips and some dark sherry. A very light peat and wood spice, cloves, nutmeg and allspice, herbal. Very rich, chocolate sauce, raisins, vanilla, pancake syrup and salted caramels. Mineral notes, chalky, also some orange oil and olive brine. A touch malty at the bottom of the glass with more caramel and cinnamon. The palate begins peppery, sweet and savory. A big thick sherry richness with chocolate sauce, raisins, heavy oak. Fairly bitter, oak tannins and walnut skins. Ginger and clove. Vanilla, toffee, salted caramels and root beer. A medium to full bodied mouthfeel that is oily and creamy, very mouthwatering. The finish is long with sherry oak, slightly sour and bitter, chocolate and vanilla with a trace of peat, dry. Solid flavors here, indicative of quality casks and skilled blending of the bourbon and sherry matured components. The bitterness on the palate does hurt things, but otherwise this is a very good single malt, though I think I prefer the heavily peated versions better. 3.75-4 Cheers