Bunnahabhain 1998/2022 - 23 yo - Calvados Cask Finish Feis Ile 2022

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 49.7% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This unpeated festival release was distilled in 1998 and released for Fèis Ìle 2022 at 23 years old. Following its long initial maturation, the whisky spent its final two years in French Calvados casks. It was bottled at 49.7%, with natural colour and without chill filtration. This is an official Bunnahabhain bottling.

The Calvados finish combines the mature, unpeated Islay style with a pronounced apple and pear character. Candy-like sweetness and toffee sit alongside dates and other dried fruits. Cereal notes and an oily texture complement this fruit-led character, while the finish provides a contrast of bold spice followed by floral notes.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Barley sugar, pear drops and toffee-coated apples lead the nose. Dates then emerge, accompanied by a floral note with a hint of conifers.
• Palate: The whisky is sweet and fruity on the palate, with plenty of green apple and pear drops. Cereal notes and an oily texture combine with toffee and dried fruits.
• Finish: The finish begins bold and spicy before giving way to floral notes.

Distillery/Bottler:

Bunnahabhain was established in 1881 by William Robertson together with William and James Greenlees on Islay's remote north-east coast. The distillery and village were built together on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig; production began in 1883. The village also included homes for employees and their families. The name Bunnahabhain means “mouth of the river”.

The distillery draws its water from the Margadale spring to the north of the site. Its pear-shaped stills have unusually long swan necks, which encourage a lighter, more delicate spirit character. An oily texture is also part of Bunnahabhain's unpeated style. Forgoing chill filtration preserves this mouthfeel, while the absence of added colouring leaves the colour developed during cask maturation visible.

Facts: