Bunnahabhain 2010 9 Year (Lady of the Glen)

To begin, Bunnahabhain distillery is already a personal favorite among others like Glendronach, Glengoyne, and Deanston. Although I hadn't sampled anything from Lady of The Glen before, it's understandable that I was immediately captivated, if not prematurely enthusiastic, upon seeing this online. This whisky matured for 9 years in a first-fill Oloroso Hogshead (250 liters), not one of the usual larger sherry butts (500 liters). It's dark! I also find that younger Bunna expressions showcase a wonderful, natural fruitiness that complements the sherry beautifully, while older aged Bunna becomes more chocolaty and savory. All are superb in my opinion. Additionally, did anyone note that this is bottled at 66.7% ABV! "Completely sherry bombs, Batman!" While I did assess the aroma without dilution, I was also curious enough to taste it neat. The nose is rich with dark fruits and a significant fruit punch. It's a bit ethanol-forward at full strength but not as severe as one might anticipate. There's also that distinct salty sea air and floral scent characteristic of younger Bunna, which I adore. Adding water reveals sweet fruits and a buttery note, perhaps like buttered toast alongside jammy fruit notes. The taste at full strength is a powerful fruity impact on the tongue, followed by nothing as it's now numbed from the 66.7% ABV. Later, with water, all those fruits come alive on the palate. The fruits dominate everything, but in a wonderful way. The Bunna signature is present with a subtle buttery, floral note. The finish is entirely fruity and quite lengthy, even after considerable dilution. If you appreciate Bunnahabhain and encounter this bottle for under $150, get it, pay the merchant, rush home, and savor it.