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Limited Edition Bunnahabhain 30yo in SA
Three expressions of Bunnahabhain, known for its lightly peated whiskies, are currently available in South Africa: the 12,18 and 25yo. More accurately, three expressions used to be available until a press release announcing a fourth was circulated this week with news of a very limited edition: Bunnahabhain 30yo 1980 Vintage.
This 30yo, originally released in October 2010, is limited to 357 bottles worldwide, of which 17 are now available in SA. The release does not say which retailers will stock the bottles but if you’re a local whisky enthusiast you can probably guess, or at least narrow it down to two. (I’ve sent an email enquiring, will post an update if/when response received.)
The expression is bottled at a cask strength of 45.4% (lower than I would expect), is unchillfiltered, free of caramel colouring, and is the result of spending its life maturing in two ex-sherry hogshead casks laid down in 1980. As per most limited editions and older expressions, the packaging is beautiful, although just slightly over the top, with the bottle being presented in an un-dyed, pinkish leather case which includes a pewter quaich and glass tube containing a scroll of authenticity detailing the release. All lovely extras, but make no mistake you are paying for them. The expected price of the bottle is R3800 (≈ £342) and inline with the international price. (Nice to see we aren’t getting ripped off… any more than anyone else that is.) For a 30yo it is expensive, but this is clearly due to a combination of both it’s age and limited quantity.
It’s great that this will be available in SA and kudos to Distell for bring it in, but I have no intention of buying a bottle. Full press release available on Whisky Intelligence if you enjoy reading marketing speak.
Official tasting notes from Ian MacMillan, Bunnahabhain’s master distiller:
Nose: Holds a rich, aromatic nose with a sophisticated balance of oak, gingerbread, moist fruit cake, prunes, old leather, roasted nuts and a hint of sea air.
Palette: Opens up to produce a creamy, silky taste with sweet oak, liquorice and nutmeg intertwined with citrus, vanilla, eucalyptus and a hint of coconut.
Finish: Long and elegant with flavours of digestive biscuits, soft vanilla, a tinge of ginger and sea salt coating your mouth.
Bowmore 16yo 1989
Whisky: Bowmore 16yo 1989 Limited Edition, 51.8%
No price available
This 1989 vintage Bowmore, cask strength release was the first in their vintage series. Matured primarily in bourbon casks and non chillfiltered.
Nose: A light and very fresh nose with light peat smoke. Slightly medicinal with notes of citrus, tropical fruits and flowers. Maritime saltiness.
Taste: An immediate zing on the lips and front of the tongue with rich lively flavours of tropical fruit and lemon meringue. Quite aromatic and drying with cream and vanilla. Very fragrant, but unfortunately the peat is missing here though.
Finish: A long finish with the peat arising once again for a final goodbye, accompanied with helping of custard.
My Score: 83
An enjoyable and interesting Bowmore, and also rather atypical. The nose is wonderful but the palette is disappointing, and although the finish tries to make a comeback, its a little too late. So close to being exceptional, but just misses the mark.
Other Scores: SV 80
Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength NAS
Whisky: Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength NAS, 59.6%, 75cl
R600 ≈ £52
Caol Ila is one of the 8 active distilleries on Islay. Their core range consists of 4 expressions: this cask strength bottling, 12yo, 18yo, and a newly released 25yo. The majority of the whisky produced at Caol Ila is used in blends, particularly for the Johnnie Walker expressions.
Nose: Oooh. Succulent and syrupy sweet! Thick vapours. Fruity with pears and melons; both cantaloupe and green melon.
Taste: Smooth and powerful mouthfeel like burning velvet. Wonderful fresh and scuffed peat, with iodine and brine. With such high ABV this is a hot potato, you can’t hold it very long else its like chewing pepper corns… so just keep sipping! A touch of salt and citrus. Explodes with character.
Finish: Citrus comes out stronger on the finish. Strong burst of fruit sweetness. Long and intense. Toffee?
My Score: 86/100
This is a terrific dram. Tons of peat, but very well rounded with the other fruit and citrus flavours. My favourite Caol Ila so far, hands-down. If you’re a little hesitant of this whisky due to it’s cask strength nature, don’t be, just add a few drops of water and love every sip.
Other Scores: MJ 85, JH 86
The Glenlivet 16yo Nàdurra
Whisky: The Glenlivet 16yo Nàdurra, 55.1%, 75cl
Batch No. 0309H
R610 ≈ £53
Nadurra is Gaelic for natural, signifying the cask strength, uncoloured and non-chilled filtered aspects of this whisky. (Unlike the rest of The Glenlivet core range) Matured entirely in first fill American oak casks, this expression was first released in 2005.
Nose: Full of juicy summer fruits; mangos and pineapple. The high alcohol content injects vibrancy into the nose. A sprinkle of nuts, which combined with the sweetness of the fruity notes, smells like nougat.
Taste: Lovely – although it’ll elbow you in the teeth if you aren’t careful. Very silky, quite smooth, and lots of flavour. Fruits are still abound but less sweet, and the better for it.
Finish: Long, fiesty and hot. And yet still refreshing and invigorating.
My Score: 85/100
I know this may not be on the top of many whisky drinker’s list when it comes to summer drinks, but the flavours and vibrancy of this whisky lend itself to a summer dram. Reading other reviews on this, it is evident the batches do vary, but it appears not greatly enough that you risk being disappointed.
Scores: JH 84
