Bunnahabhain Moine Amontillado Finish (Fèis Ìle 2020)

The cancellation of a certain festival last year presented an unexpected benefit for enthusiasts as the Islay distilleries began selling their event bottlings online. This particular bottle was not difficult to acquire and was reasonably priced given the circumstances. It stands out as one of the better offerings I've encountered from this distillery recently. While I generally appreciate the distillery, not all experimental cask treatments or finishes harmonize perfectly with the spirit, particularly its more heavily peated Moine variety. In this instance, the Amontillado sherry cask imparts just the right amount of sharp, marmalade, and apricot notes to the malt's subtle cigar smoke, while the rich oils create a lingering warmth. Although my ability to purchase this bottle does not compensate for the loss of two years of festival revenue for Islay, it certainly deserves recognition among fortunate pandemic discoveries.