Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig (Fèis Ìle 2022)

Wow, two weekends in a row with a reported tasting. I think they call that a trend. I’m a fan of Bunna. I have a bunch in my collection. The 12 is a nice, light, phenolic sip. The 18 is excellent (all in my opinion). This sample was graciously provided by a friend. Tonight, watching the Mets v Phillies and a documentary on Teddy Roosevelt (quite good, by the way). The nose has the almost unmistakable Bunna profile: rubber tires, caramel sweetness and maritime sea-spray. A light and lofty fruitiness: apples, Red raspberry jam and golden sultanas. A dusting of baking cocoa powder on pecans. The streams steady on the sweeter side, but it light and floaty. Unlike the sweet nose, the palate is prickly, hot and with a spice kick. That crescendos and intensity, but begins to settle down. Almonds and walnuts form the flavor foundation supporting the light flavors of red raspberry and sultanas, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger root. Wood, ginger and baking cocoa, white pepper and charcoal finish. They holds on for a medium-long time with slight tingling on the tongue. Bunnahabhain has a knack for creating whisky that usually above average to great. This is a decent scotch but lacks a boldness, variety and balance that anchors a great whisky. This is a drinkable whisky and enjoyable. It just doesn’t have enough of any particular quality to distinguish itself or make it unique. A good, lightly sweet sipping scotch. May even pair well with a mild cigar and a Mets game (Mets won 7-2; #LGM). Thanks to a friend for the sample. [86/100][Tasted: 8/19/22]

The aroma begins with moderate sourness, featuring golden raisins, lemon juice, and a light hint of sea salt caramel, followed by cocoa-dusted prunes and toasted hazelnuts. It then transitions to balsamic strawberries, lychee, and grapefruit pith, leading into very subtle baking spices with a medium alcohol burn. The palate has a thin texture, starting with moderate sourness, golden raisins, lemon juice, and a noticeable ocean brine. This is followed by a moderately bitter and sour spice that gradually fades to a chalky sensation, cocoa-dusted prunes, and toasted hazelnuts. It then presents balsamic strawberries, lychee, and grapefruit pith, evolving into cloves, ginger, and a moderately ashy oak spice with a medium alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, with notes of dark chocolate-covered raisins, toasted almonds, cloves, ginger, black pepper, and a mildly ashy oak. Overall, this was an average whiskey. The aroma, which was moderately sour, required some effort to discern notes beyond lemon, raisin, and salt. The palate had a thinner mouthfeel than anticipated, leaning towards a moderate bitter spice with a chalky saltiness. While the flavors were bolder than the aroma, it remained moderately sour before concluding with an enjoyable combination of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and light ashy spices. My aversion to sour and bitter spices is greater than most, so this might be more appealing to other palates. However, it comes across as too sour and bitter for me to consider purchasing. Many thanks to a friend for providing a sample of this Feis Ile bottle for my review.

At a tasting event, this whisky's aroma reminded me of dry fallen leaves. It also had notes of sherry and cocoa powder. While the initial smell was striking, it lacked depth and complexity, and adding water didn't improve it. The taste began robust and substantial, with flavors of raisins, walnuts, peanut skins, dark hard toffee, bitter chocolate, tobacco leaf, a hint of ash, intense spice, liquorice, and leather, along with raw alcohol. Water extended the taste but didn't significantly alter it. The finish was medium to long, featuring spice and sourness, with notes of cocoa, nuts, and oak. It was dry and astringent. I would never have guessed this was finished in PX casks. It tastes sherried, but more like an Oloroso influence, and not from top-tier casks. The nose and palate were dry, with characteristics of walnuts, resin, and dried figs. The palate felt somewhat "unclean," not in a pleasant way, and a raw alcohol presence was noticeable in both the aroma and taste, occasionally cutting through. The profile also lacked vibrant or fresh fruitiness. Overall, this spirit seemed prematurely old but not mature. It wasn't sold that night, but when it arrives, it will likely cost around $200, a price I wouldn't meet. Score: 83/100 (3.5 stars) - "Good (just)"

This is the 2022 Feis Ile non-peated edition. I've always felt Bunnahabhain is at its best with peat, but I was curious to try this. The price seemed reasonable, and I'm particularly drawn to PX finishes. Without water: The nose and palate are harsher, with a pronounced taste of balsamic vinegar strawberries. With a small addition of water: Reveals more chocolate notes; the balsamic vinegar strawberries become more akin to chocolate-covered strawberries. Overall - It's a decent Bunnahabhain, but I'm left wondering if it surpasses the much more affordable 12-year-old.

Really good. Smell: Plums, milk chocolate, raisins, coconuts, bananas, oranges, almonds, and cinnamon. Taste: Raisins, vanilla, plums, coconuts, banana, salted caramel, toffee, and dates. Aftertaste: Raisins, plums, dates, cherries, blackberries, and hazelnuts.

A delightful aroma of milk chocolate-covered raisins and prunes leads into palate flavors of fig syrup and ground coffee. Finishes long with bittersweet chocolate. Perfectly drinkable.