Bunnahabhain, the most northerly distillery on Islay since 1881, returns with the eagerly awaited 2025 edition of its 21 Year Old Cask Strength release. Crafted on the distillery’s remote north-eastern shoreline and shaped by pure Margadale spring water, this whisky captures the essence of Bunnahabhain’s much-loved unpeated, sherried style in its most authentic form.
The distillery selected 21 individual casks for this limited release, each one matured for over two decades in traditional ex-Oloroso sherry wood. After 21 years of coastal ageing, the whisky was granted an additional 21-month finish in premium Pedro Ximénez casks, lending a sweeter, richer and more syrup-laden character. Bottled at a natural 53.1% ABV, it offers enthusiasts a true ‘straight-from-the-cask’ experience reminiscent of tasting whisky in Bunnahabhain’s atmospheric warehouses.
The nose presents rich aromas of dried fruits, treacle toffee, and brown sugar, with subtle touches of walnut, leather, and a gentle hint of sea breeze. On the palate, the whisky delivers sweet PX-soaked raisins, cocoa, and chocolate-dipped cherries, with layers of roasted nuts, spiced oak, espresso, and warming cinnamon and clove. The finish is long, warming, and luxuriously textured, lingering on notes of dark chocolate, prunes, and a final whisper of salty sea spray.
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