Bunnahabhain 12 years

Score: 71

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old claimed third place in its tasting, and it did so with understated elegance. Matured in a mix of first-fill sherry and bourbon casks, and bottled at 46.3% ABV with no chill filtration or added colour, it’s a whisky that lets its natural character shine. The nose opens with dried fruits, roasted nuts, and a whisper of sea spray—classic Bunna coastal DNA. Beneath that, hints of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of spice emerge. On the palate, it’s rich and rounded: sherried sweetness, raisins, milk chocolate, and a subtle saline thread that keeps things lively. There’s a gentle warmth, a creamy texture, and a finish that lingers with nutty depth and soft oak. It didn’t steal the show, but it didn’t need to. In a lineup of louder, flashier drams, Bunnahabhain 12 held its ground with quiet confidence. A whisky for those who appreciate depth over dazzle.