Bunnahabhain 2004 Mòine Tokaji Cask Finish (Fèis Ìle 2022)

I'm a major admirer of Bunnahabhain and was thrilled to discover that samples of Feis Ile bottles or distillery exclusives are available on their website. I obtained a sample of this Feis Isle bottling. The aroma begins with dried apricots, stewed pears, and vanilla salted taffy, followed by a campfire with burning leaves and faint diesel fumes, then baked plums, fig jam, and candied lemon peel. This transitions to candied ginger, cloves, leather, and mildly bitter black tea with a moderate ethanol burn. The taste has a medium texture, starting with dried apricots, stewed pears, and vanilla wedding cake, followed by a moderate bitter spice that gradually recedes to fallen leaves, scorched hay bales, and light tar. It then presents nectarines, fresh figs, and gooseberries, transitioning to candied ginger, cloves, leather, and mildly bitter black tea with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is of medium length with golden raisins, dried apricots, scorched hay bales, ginger, cloves, and mild campfire ash. Overall, this is just shy of exceptional. It successfully combines those leafy, earthy, and smoky peat characteristics with the Tokaji sweetness to create a well-balanced sweet and smoky profile. However, it's hampered by a slight youthful tartness and moderate bitterness on the palate, which shifts that sweet and smoky balance towards a tannic spice. At a price exceeding $200, I don't believe it warrants the premium cost beyond the bragging rights of owning a Feis Ile bottle, and it appears I'm not the only one, as these are still available for purchase on their website. It remains a very good whisky, but I would prefer if they removed the Feis Ile designation from the bottle and reduced the price to $120 for me to consider buying it.

A mild aroma of pear with a touch of smoke. In the mouth, an initial wave of tinned clementines gives way to peppery peat. Then dark chocolate and damp earth, followed by a long aftertaste of chili chocolate mixed with peaches. An interesting combination of flavors, but I found the overall effect somewhat disjointed and underwhelming. Nevertheless, I could see myself having several glasses of this, just in case my initial assessment was mistaken!

A nice blend of peat and sweetness, with rich sweetness and subtle smoke. Aroma: Honey, Figs, Sultanas, Salted Caramel, Mackerels, Pears, Walnuts, Oranges, Caramelized White Chocolate Taste: White Chocolate, Sultanas, Pears, Peaches, Pineapple Syrup, Smoke, Mackerels, Almonds Finish: Pears, Figs, Minerals, White Chocolate, Banoffee Pie, Papayas