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Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

(0.75l, 46.30%)


8.1/10
Price:
$55.99
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A different kind of Islay Scotch.
 
Bunnahabhain distillery was constructed in 1881 by the Greenlees brothers, and first opened its doors in 1883. It's located on the island of Islay, with 11 employees and four massive stills – among the biggest in the industry, alongside Glenmorangie.
 
Recently re-released with new packaging to signify the distillery’s move to un-chilfiltered Whiskies, Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old is a lightly smoked malt. Somewhat untypical of other Islay products, this is a delicate expression of the characteristic peated smoke that is normally found in Islay Whiskies. 
 
Not only is there that light smokiness, but the Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old also has a fruity sweetness that combines with a subtle vanilla undertone. There is also a beautiful tang of sea air, a homage to the rough rocky shores that surround this malts coastal home. All in all the Bunnhabhain 12 Year Old is an exploration in softer smoke tones and has a great variety of flavours to complement this.
 
It will appeal to peat veterans as an interesting exploration, while those new to peat will welcome it openly and happily. Cheers!
 

Flavor Spiral™

About The Flavor Spiral

Close
smoky
sherry
vanilla sweetness
fruit
nutty
sweet
caramel
spicy
apple
What does Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old taste like?

The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.

We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson
Dog Dogson's
Smartass
Corner
Whisky or Whiskey? The spelling differs geographically. In Scotland and some other parts of the world distilleries usually spell it Whisky; in Ireland and USA they spell it Whiskey.

Tasting Notes
Appearance / Colour
Amber
 
Smell / Nose / Aroma
Fruits such as pear and apple, juicy and ripe, with vanilla sweetness and only the subtlest hints of peat
 
Flavour / Taste / Palate
A nod towards the coastal Islay shores, nutty cereal and more light fruit tones
 
Finish
Salt of the coast air comes through with a lingering end, delicate smoke completes this malt.

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Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
David
David,
Usually a Bourbon and Irish guy, but I decided to try to get into peat. I've tried peated whisk(e)y before but it was too much for me, hence why I got this one. Now that I bought a bottle, I have to ask myself why I waited so long to buy this one. Even for a neck pour, I knew that this was my new favorite scotch. Fruity, silky and sticky mouthfeel, caramels, vanillas, some spice and minor smokiness at the end. If this is the start of the bottle, I can only imagine how wonderful it will be when it opens up!
 
brandon
brandon,
great smoke and peat from the moment the seal was broke and in every dram. another islay gem.
 
Michael
Michael,
Great combination of smoke and beautiful sweetness. This should be a staple in the cabinet.
 
SCOTT
SCOTT,
Ripe banana, honey, pepper. No peat. Like a good rye.
 
Kate
Kate,
Boring
James
James,
No.
Bruce
Bruce,
I truly enjoy this scotch. It takes the place of a bourbon about once a week. I have been a little disappointed with some of the bourbons I have purchased lately. I have decided to purchase scotch for awhile and see what I can find.
 
bill
bill,
Not a favorite. It was a standard whisky without many flavors to pick out. Very simple
 
Scott
Scott,
Very nice. Light peat, just a hint. Top quality for a 12.
 
Tonya
Tonya,
Very easy to drink. Slight smoky taste on the finish but not overwhelming.
 
Mark
Mark,
Really nice. The smoke and sherry mix well. Smooth body and good long finish.
 
James
James,
My wife and I like very different single malts. She is a Highland / Speyside girl and I am Islay all the way. This is the only scotch that we both really like. Not too peaty/smoky for her but just enough Islay is its blood to make me happy. A very good scotch.
 
Barry
Barry,
Not as smokey as many Islays. Great value.
 
Nicholas
Nicholas,
A very good scotch for the money, complex and balanced with excellent sweet and nutty flavor, interesting smoke/coastal lingering flavor
 
guest
guest,
I found this to be pretty unique, particularly for an Islay whiskey. Didn’t get much smoke initially, maybe a hint on the finish. Nose for me was mostly sherry and apple. Initial flavors on the palate were sweet sherry with hints of caramel, giving way to some cinnamon spice and orange zest. With some water it got a little dryer with some oak or nutty notes
 
Jamie
Jamie,
Fantastic, at a great price! A must buy
 
Joel
Joel,
Nice and smooth. Not as peaty as I expected. Bits of fruit and chocolate on the palate.
 
Brendan
Brendan,
Rich and sherried. Not as smokey as I expected, making it really well-balanced. Very good!
 
James
James,
Superb all-rounder.
 
Steven
Steven,
One of my first Islay drams.. This does not disappoint. Worth much more so buy it now while you can at this price.. Bunnawesome!!
 
Steven
Steven,
What else can I say. This is worth every penny. Solid dram!
 
John
John,
Not my favorite straight, but on the rocks, it's decent.
 
Andrew
Andrew,
A fascinating whisky. This one comes at you with a lot of surprises. Light sweet smoke on the nose with caramel and a hint of sawdust. Maraschino cherry on the palate and dark chocolate and spice on the finish.
 
Jeremy
Jeremy,
I was surprised this one had little to no peat in it. Smoky oak wood and a nice sweet finish. The smoke is strong but well balanced with a salty palate
 
Matt
Matt,
Love this unique Islay. This is one of the few scotches where I completely disagree with Flaviar's spiral - there is next to no smokiness in this scotch. It's very lightly peated. The nose is sweet and inviting - caramel, vanilla, spice. The palate follows but expands into bright fruits, more caramel and lots of delicious oak. The slightest hint of peat appears as you let the scotch expand on your palate. Some light peat (in this case, different from smoke) comes in during the finish and the oak really cements itself. Being non-chill filtered, higher ABV and E150 free really makes this a top-notch 12 year. Thick, oily mouthfeel. Overall delicious, satisfying scotch.
 
Piotr
Piotr,
More sherry than peat - not my favorite
 
Burton
Burton,
Nice balance of fruit and light smoke. A good companion to other Islay whiskies.
 
Daniel
Daniel,
Really like this. Still getting used to smokey scotch. Like this stuff, good amount of smokey, peaty flavor without overwhelming other flavors.
 
Tom
Tom,
My introduction to a single malt Scotch. I was not disappointed. I love the smoky-peaty flavor. Instantly became my favorite.
 
Pete
Pete,
My “go to” Scotch
 
Alexander
Alexander,
Love this! So smooth and surprisingly not peaty; rather a woodiness. Bunnahabhain has a permanent spot in my home bar. I highly recommend!
 
Robert
Robert,
I like this one! Not as peaty as some Islay Scotches I have tried. A very pleasant flavor. My palate is not all that well-developed yet, but it tastes sweet to me. Will buy again.
 
Matthew
Matthew,
Beautiful and smooth
 
Dan
Dan,
I'm still figuring out Scotch, having been a bourbon drinker. This one was quite a good bottle.
 
Dennis
Dennis,
I love the tastes of sherry and caramel that linger. Just a touch of peat. One of my favorites!
 
Paul
Paul,
I watched a documentary on Islay and decided it would be fun to order in a bottle from each of the distilleries. I did a tasting with a few close friends and I decided the Bunnahabhain was my favorite of the lot. Most friends agreed. I’m not a fan of heavy peat smoke so this was perfect for me.
 
Eric
Eric,
The third of my standard bottles (with Clynelish 14 and Glengoyne 12). Big fan of the fruit/sherry notes here, with enough complexity to keep me interested.
 
Steve
Steve,
Overall a solid Scotch. A nice flavor pallet, a bit of a kick, and a nice, long-lasting finish. Just missing that “special something” for me.
 
Robert
Robert,
I'm a fan of Lagavulin, but this less peaty, lightly smoked malt is now one of my very favorites.
 
Michael
Michael,
lighly peated islay scotch
 
Michael
Michael,
So damn good
 
Maria
Maria,
light peat wood
 
guest
guest,
Well balanced
 
Thomas
Thomas,
Sherry coats the palette. A wet drink to start with a mild dry finish that let's out the oak.
 
Joe
Joe,
A very good sipping whisk(e)y. Not as peaty as other Islay offerings. Something you can come back to over and over. Nice smokeyness to it still, flavors will linger for a while.
 
Ian
Ian,
Smooth with a pleasant after taste.
 
Paul
Paul,
Bunnahabhain 12 year a refreshing with a little less turf you should expect with an Islay whisky. Starting with soft fresh tones on the nose, sweet tending to hints of flowers and dried fruit. Surrounded with somekind of smokeyness. Alcolhol percentage 46,3% Good to combine with a cigar > Hajenius Petit Corona (shortfiller)
 
Imran
Imran,
good stuff, unsweetened bitter mocha slightly hot finish
 
Jason
Jason,
Sherry, candied nuts, oaky cask...
 
guest
guest,
Hands down my favorite unpeated scotch
 
Dino
Dino,
As my first scotch tasting, I found this smooth and complex. Worth the price as I get started & learn about the flavors.
 
Joseph
Joseph,
Complex, smooth and reasonably priced. So far, my favourite Scotch.
 
Michael
Michael,
This is scotch!! Not heavy on the peat, smooth on tongue, and proof that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy top shelf scotch
 
Carlos
Carlos,
An amazing Islay Whisky but without the peat smoke. It has some complexity to it which makes it a very enjoyable dram. I absolutely recommend this one to everyone I get the chance to do so. You will not go wrong with this bottle.
 
John
John,
Long lasting bite and sweetness that changes throughout with the woody notes
 
Patrick
Patrick,
I enjoyed it. I liked the mild peat and fruit notes. A nice Scotch to sit and enjoy. Worth the price.
 
Carl
Carl,
Not good. Did not go well with my tast buds.
 
Alex
Alex,
Always a great middle between lighter scotch and heavy peat!
 
Carlos
Carlos,
My first experience with an Islay Scotch, and my second whiskey overall, and I have to tell you it's wonderful. If you're looking for a heavy or even moderate Peat this is not the one to get. But if your looking for an introduction to an Islay I strongly recommend you give this one a chance. You'll enjoy the complexity this one offers.
 
Ken
Ken,
My favorite of the Islay products. A subtle hint of peat and smoke surrounding rich fruit flavors from pear to black cherry. Changes character to a salty bite at the finish. A pure delight.
 
guest
guest,
Smoke-ish, very light peat with lasting notes of vanilla, warming and complex
 
guest
guest,
Delicious!
 
Marcus
Marcus,
I thought I would like it more, but for a full flavor it is very nice.
 
Kevin
Kevin,
Islay, but not peaty. Great notes and tells a story, but super easy to drink for a single malt.
 
Mariano
Mariano,
Very nice. Not as smokey as I expected from an Islay whisky, though it has peat character. The interesting thing is the vanilla and fruits, not very common on this malts.
 
Lisa
Lisa,
Very nice smooth scotch
 
Trevor
Trevor,
Very smokey. Didn’t quite expect it because the initial smell was light. Very heavy in the mouth but the spices hit the back of your tongue in a very satisfying way. Most of the heat presents itself in your throat. Only then did I taste the nuts. Tiny hints of vanilla emerged with 2 drops of water. If you rub it in your hands you can smell the nuts as the alcohol runs away. Very pleased with this malt.
 
Lisa
Lisa,
this Scotch was smooth and not peaty at all. I loved it and would definitely purchase it again!
 
Charles
Charles,
A nice mild Islay. Similar to Bowmore, but a bit more subtle, complex, and smoother. Ends with a surprisingly wonderfully full finish.
 
Sean
Sean,
Smooth. Fruity, nutty, slightly spicy. very sweet finish. Enjoyed it very much.
 
Kevin
Kevin,
Nose has lots of caramel, toffee smells. Very creamy scotch. Not much peatiness or smoke for my taste, but that may just be because my tastebuds are burnt out from Laphroig. :) Great drink nonetheless when I'm looking for something lighter.
 
Piotr
Piotr,
Almost superb. Almost :) I would not mind getting it for a present but I would not buy it.
 
Tom
Tom,
Wow! The MacAllan was for me the best scotch I had ever tasted, until this beauty arrived at my door. I am not a fan of overwhelming peat, so this one was right down my alley
 
Dennis
Dennis,
Nose is a lovely mix of soft vanilla and caramel with a hint of smoke and coastal air on the back end. The sweet sherry influences hit the top note on the palate, with traces of caramel and nuttiness in the middle, and ends with a bitterness not unlike savoring extra-dark chocolate, which lingers during the finish with a touch of sea salt and smoke. A very complex scotch that belies its age. My personal favorite.
 
Leo
Leo,
Good daily scotch. Well balanced with sweet and smoky
 
Christine
Christine,
I love smokey, peaty Islay malts - this particular Islay malt takes a more delicate approach to the smoke and largely leaves the peat behind. Instead, there's more emphasis on sherry and vanilla, particularly in the aroma. Also surprisingly smooth! Really enjoy it.
 
Patrick
Patrick,
Really enjoyable scotch. Notes of caramel and apple on the nose. The sweetness really opens up with a little water. Finishes with a hint of salt and smoke.
 
Travis
Travis,
This whisky is both sweet and complex, without the normal smokey essence typical to Islay Scotches. I’m an instant fan!
 
Cristopher
Cristopher,
Super Smooth! Sweet and right for the pallet. Something to drink to great music or with friends.
 
Charles
Charles,
Too smokie for me, it is almost a peat. I'm not a fan of peat.
 
Nathan
Nathan,
Very smooth Scotch that is worth the price. Definitely one of my top choices now. Excellent!
 
Antti
Antti,
Bunnahabhain 12 Year is a very good delicate Scotch with a birth of vanilla fudge & barley grist leading to a life of fresh sea spray, berry & nut; blending into a gentle death.
 
Bruce
Bruce,
The older versions get extremely pricey over $1,000-$3,000. So I figured the more affordable 12 year old has to be delish. I was right on and this is in my top 10 to drink with friends for somewhat special occasions.
 
Jason
Jason,
The briny, almost salted caramel and dried fruit on the palette with a smooth lingering finish kept me coming back for more. Excellent coastal style dram!
 
guest
guest,
👍🏻
 
David
David,
Excellent. Very smooth
 
Tim
Tim,
Probably an 8 1/2 for me. Not quite the 18, but delicious.
 
James
James,
A smooth yet rough complex experience.
 
Will
Will,
Very nice, smokey vanilla, and sherry. nice balance.
 
Porter
Porter,
Smooth and smoky!
 
Mark
Mark,
An average single malt scotch. Not bad, but nothing fantastic.
 
guest
guest,
Quaich Bar tasting set - slightly too salty and smoky for me
 
Gordon
Gordon,
awesome- 12 year is as good as many 18 years
 
guest
guest,
A really fine and yet rough whisky, salty sweetness pairs with nutty caramel smoke. Delicious!
 
John
John,
Excellent
 
Mr
Mr,
One of my favorites
 
Dumitru
Dumitru,
That's a strong, bitter taste.
 
guest
guest,
🌸
 
guest
guest,
Sweet nose, slight smokiness, sharp after taste
 
Warren
Warren,
It is my favorite scotch.
 
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