12 Year Old Cask Strength

About

Founded in 1881 on Islay's northern shore, Bunnahabhain's 12 Year Old stands apart as an unpeated island whisky—a rarity in a region defined by smoke. Instead of peat, you find maritime minerality, layered fruit, and a sweet maltiness built from maturation in both bourbon and sherry casks. This dual-cask approach creates a balance uncommon on Islay. Bourbon provides structure and vanilla; sherry adds richness and dried-fruit complexity—plums, raisins, walnuts. On the palate, briny punch meets blackcurrant jam and a woody, slightly bitter edge that reads as refinement rather than harshness. At cask strength (60.1%), the whisky reveals its full texture without aggression. Coffee, toffee, and a hint of camphor linger on a long finish. This is a whisky that rewards attention without demanding it—approachable for newcomers, layered enough for seasoned drinkers seeking something beyond the island's typical smoke-and-ash profile.

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