Bunnahabhain 2002 Spanish Oak Finish (Fèis Ìle 2018)

The second of the two samples I purchased at the Bunnahabhain distillery shop was a 2018 Feis Ile release called Spanish Oak Finish. Many would describe this as double maturation rather than a finish, as it was moved to Gran Reserva casks as early as 2013 after initially aging in refill (presumably bourbon) casks since 2002. I couldn't determine if those Spanish casks held Rioja wine, brandy, or something else, but it's undeniable that they worked wonders. The aroma is rich with raisins, sultanas, a little cigar ash, and a hint of struck match. In the mouth, it's thick with blackberry jam, figs, dark chocolate, cinnamon, salted caramel, and blood orange. The finish is long and dry with blackberry, dark chocolate chips, and tannins. As good as it is, Bunnahabhain priced it too high at 250 pounds, and bottles are still available from its website five years later, despite only 1,500 being produced. But disregard that price and watch the auctions, where it's selling for as little as half that. Indeed, one was available as I was writing this, and a day later it was mine for 130 pounds.

Excellent spirit. Nose: Pineapple, plum, raisin, mango, espresso, milk chocolate, mocha, papaya, apricot, sultana, fig syrup Palate: Raisin, milk chocolate, papaya, honey, peach, salted caramel, plum, raspberry, blackberry, almond Finish: Raisin, grapefruit, milk chocolate, toffee, plum, licorice, nutmeg, cinnamon

A dark, smoky scent with fried fruit. It has a sharp sweetness. The body is deep and rich, with high alcohol and heat. More dried fruit and apricot, with a savory quality. The alcohol burn is slightly overpowering for the flavor, but it's still quite pleasant.