A single cask bottling from the good folks at Wemyss Malts. This 30-year-old Bunnahabhain was distilled back in 1987 and matured in a single sherry butt before bottling in 2018.
Bottled with an outturn of just 615 bottles. Wemyss name this whisky ‘Maritime Memories’, to give a hint of what it tastes like.
Appearance: Lighter than I’d imagine, for a whisky matured in a sherry butt for 31 years. White wine, straw gold.
Lovely and viscous, coating the entire glass when swirled and slowly separating into trails, dripping slowly back to the surface.
Nose: Lovely hit from the ABV, warms immediately. The sweetness from the sherry maturation marries beautifully with the soft distant bonfire.
There’s also plenty of ‘funk’ and some citrus on the nose too.
Palate: Buttery smooth mouthfeel on arrival. Quite spicy, plenty of white pepper and even a touch of chilli.
Glacier cherries, sour grapefruit and blood orange are all in the mix, which I’m not fond of. It’s a little drying too.
It’s a bit reminiscent of mums over zealous sherry trifle actually!
Finish: Quite a spicy and long finish. The citrus undertone lingers, lemon and grapefruit. Nice and warming on the chest, but quite harsh on the throat, very fiery.
Overall: I can see why people would really enjoy this, but it just doesn’t agree with my tastes. The grapefruit and spiciness are the main offenders here, for me.
Pretty sure many will disagree with me! heheh
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