Sample Image

Bunnahabhain 4yo 2005/2009 (57.7%, Creative Whisky Co., C#28, 257 Bts.,)

Distilled 21st, December 2005 and bottle by the Creative Whisky Company with an owl on the label but bottled under the “Exclusive Malts” range and purchased from the Chester Whisky Company. Good peat reek on the nose which is extremely vibrant and engaging, further notes of juniper, cedar and some hints of unspecified grain. All very nice. Water changes the sample somewhat and brings out further sweet richness; diesel and peat reek. The diluted taste (just a splash) is gentle at first and then there’s a sedate rush of the peat smoke and some good sweetness, again all very nice. The undiluted taste is steel cut rye, oats and chocolate malt followed by rich aggressive peat reek. Big! The finish show cases the arrival of the malt (peated naturally) and then some dry oak spice but not over whelming and still some hints of juniper and cedar. The diesel is in the also, milling about. After a few minutes the malt really does emerge and again it’s very good. Creaminess shows late in the finish…and then lashings of malt.

Tastes significantly older than 4 years and it all works quite well.

£45

Score 88 points

Part three of five featuring whiskies that are peated; ‘Peat Week’!