We've already set up great tradition to have cool Bunnahabhain tasting each autumn.
In 2017 we made "Bunnahabhain from 60-s" event where we tasted 4 official bottles distilled in that decade including quite legendary Auld Acquiantance 1968.
In 2018 we were comparing 5 different independent Bunnas.
In 2019 would be logical and quite symbolical to unite indies and officials in one tasting and check what is the difference. Here we go:
As you can see we start with 3 indies over 30 yo and then proceed with 2 officials.
Position #4 - official 35 yo (1971 vintage) is extremely difficult to find (750 bottles released in 2006).
Position #5 - is said to contain the same casks as legendary 1968 Auld Acquiantance which were held in a steel tank a little longer than AA.
Tasting itself will be held in 2 rounds: bottles are opened, drams are poured one by one, we taste the whole line, have dinner and then we repeat with 1 more dram of each malt.
Bunnahabhain 1980 37 yo NSS 44.4% - 140 bottles released, matured in a refilled hogshead.
Nose: quite elegant, wood spices, cigar box, tropical fruits, pineapples, wax and resins.
Taste: fresh, lots of citrus and tropical fruits again, cream, white chocolate, touch of salt.
Finish: medium-long, honey, distinct oak but not that much.
Overall: great Bunna at its price! That's why I adore this distillery, you can buy 30+ yo malt released by bottler at a very decent price. 91 points after 1-st round and 92 points after 2-nd.
Score = 23 23- 23 23, 92/100!
Bunnahabhain 1973 40 yo Acla 46.2% - 167 bottles released.
Nose: touch of soaked tomatos, flowers, apples and honey. Quite simple comparing to NSS.
Taste: sweet and subtle with touch of salt.
Finish: quite long, powerful and oily. Honey and spices of course.
Overall: became rounder during 2-nd round, so initial 90 points transform into 91!
Score = 22.5 22 23.5 23, 91/100!
Bunnahabhain 1973 40 yo Archives 50.6% - 156 bottles released, the label says butt, so it must be some part of a refill sherry cask.
Nose: many fruits, but there is also mineral layer. Honey, pears, vanilla, tobacco and wet pebbles.
Taste: powerful, sweet and fruity, lots of oranges and lemons, some ginger and salt.
Finish: long, elegant and spicy.
Overall: seems to be more integral than Acla.
Score = 23- 23 23 23, 92/10
Bunnahabhain 1971 35 yo 125-th Anniversary 44.9% - matured in sherry hogsheads, 750 bottles released.
Overall: sherry is much more pronounced comparing to bottlers' editions, canonical honey, citrus and salt of old Bunna. Rounded and complex but in terms of price/pleasure I'd take 4 bottles of 37 yo NSS instead :)
Score = 23 23 23 23, 92/100
Bunnahabhain 1968 34 yo 43.5% - 1620 bottles released.
Nose: gentle old style sherry that doesn't dominate over the malt. Honey, leather, oak, coffee and lovely touch of smoke on top.
Taste: silky and salivating, lots of spices (white pepper, cloves, cardamom), oranges and dark plums.
Finish: long, nutty, nice oak and salt.
Overall: shows superior quality indeed.
Score = 23.5 23 23.5 23, 93.5/100
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