Bunnahabhain 27yo, The Good Spirits Company

It's always a treat to sample a rare whisky, especially one from Islay. This particular bottle, a 27-year-old Bunnahabhain from "The Good Spirits Company," an independent bottler not widely known, was opened at a private tasting. I often find aged whiskies transport me back in time. I ponder my life and world events from 27 years ago, the moment the youngest drop of this single malt entered an oak barrel, especially when encountering a bottle like this today. Beyond the romanticism, it presents a pale straw hue and was bottled at 40.8% ABV. The nose offers abundant tropical and sweet notes: pineapple, white chocolate, candied fruits, white wine, and coconut. Distinct salty undertones are present. My first taste brought to mind the fruits used in a wine sangria – macerated fruits, green grapes, and pomegranate. The palate is fantastic, featuring prominent hazelnuts, Ferrero Rocher chocolate, and hay. A second tasting revealed a somewhat watery texture with vanilla, pineapple, and a touch of salt, giving a very "beachy" impression. The finish is all about pineapple and arazá fruit, reminiscent of a "Piña Colada" cocktail, with an enduring saltiness. It evokes a fancy white rum before tobacco notes unexpectedly emerge. In conclusion, this was an absolutely incredible whisky, perhaps the most tropical I've ever encountered. The signature Bunnahabhain chocolate note transforms into white milk chocolate here, harmonizing perfectly with the tropical character of this dram. An unforgettable experience; it's a shame only 179 bottles were produced. My rating is 97 out of 100.

Possibly my favorite ever. Caramel and nutmeg on the nose. The palate is rich and sweet with caramelized banana, vanilla bean, and spices. A salty, spicy finish that lingers, like salted caramel toffee. Incredible.