Bunnahabhain XII, 46.3% abv.

Nose: generally sweet like fruit juice, well bodied, light degraded old raisins, slightly oaky in the background, hints of bbq on the back, slightly perfume-like. Seems like a sherry cask influenced dram. After awhile, it smells like waxed wood.

Palate: flavors are calm, a little oily, a little creamy, initial palate has good body, some thick texture, but hard to discern flavors since I think its too calm.. or light, mid palate has a few subtle flavors, basically light grape juice, almost like poorly aged red wine, with wood staves/shards to add some flavor, almost like a poorly sherry influenced scotch, back palate has low levels of spice, hints of cinnamon. After awhile all aspects taste like plain wood.

Finish: slightly drying, short, common spices.

Tastes like an un-peated Islay malt with some sherry influence. However, the whole thing felt a little weak in that all the aromas, flavors, and experiences in the beginning of the tasting didn't last long, my dram ended up being a glass of wood and earth juice. Unpleasant for me.

Grade: C

Whiskyanalysis.com, 8.66 ± 0.27 on 24 reviews
Whiskyfun.com, Serge Valentin, 2012 bottle sgp:452, 84 points
The whiskyphiles, Barry Bradford, 2011 bottle, 82/100
Thewhiskeywash, Aaron Knapp, 4 stars
Thewhiskeyjug, Josh Peters, 87/100
Whisky advocate, John Hansell, 89 points
Whiskynotes, Ruben Luyten, 85/100
Ralfy, 88/100

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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