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Signatory Bunnahabhain 9 years

malty woody
4.6
(3)€122Scotland, Islay, Single Malt

Flavours

Whisky character

Fresh
Warm
Mild
Full
Smooth
Spicy

Taste mentions

Facts

Bunnahabhain sits on the north coast of Islay, drawing its water from the Margadale spring about a mile inland. It is the rare Islay distillery that works unpeated, so the spirit leans gentle and fruity rather than smoky. Signatory, the independent bottler, chose a single first-fill sherry butt for this release. The cask did its work over nine years, lending deep walnut, dried fruit and chocolate. There is sweet caramel and strawberry underneath, with a nutty almond edge. Pour it neat and let the sherry unfold slowly.

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About the distillery

Distillery

Bunnahabhain

Bunnahabhain is a Scottish whisky distillery located on the north-east coast of the Isle of Islay. It was founded in 1881 and is one of the oldest distilleries on the island. The distillery is known for producing a range of single malt whiskies that are typically unpeated or lightly peated, which is unusual for Islay whiskies. The water used in production comes from the Margadale spring and the malted barley is sourced from the mainland. Bunnahabhain whisky is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, which contributes to its unique flavor profile. An interesting fact about Bunnahabhain is that it was one of the few distilleries to remain open during World War II, producing whisky for the war effort.

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96Whiskies on Distilld

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Islay

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About the Signatory Bunnahabhain 9 years

Signatory Bunnahabhain 9 years is an unpeated single malt whisky from the Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay, Scotland. It comes from Signatory, the respected independent bottler that specialises in single-cask releases. This one was matured for nine years in a first-fill sherry butt. Bottled at a powerful 64.8% cask strength, with no added colouring, it shows the distillery in full voice. Bunnahabhain stands apart from its Islay neighbours. Most distilleries on the island chase heavy peat smoke. Bunnahabhain instead makes a softer, fruitier spirit drawn from the mineral-rich Margadale spring. Around a mile north of the distillery. That gentler character is exactly what shines through here. The first-fill sherry butt wraps it in warmth without burying its natural sweetness. The sherry influence is clear from the first nose. Expect deep dried fruit, walnut and rich chocolate, with a layer of malty grain beneath. Caramel and vanilla bring a rounded sweetness. There is fresh fruit too, a touch of strawberry, and a nutty almond note that keeps things interesting. The high strength carries every flavour with real intensity. Signatory Bunnahabhain 9 years rewards a little patience in the glass. At cask strength the flavours are concentrated and bold, so give them room to open. Sip it neat and slowly. The sweet, sherried core holds steady while the nutty and fruity notes shift around it. This is a generous, characterful dram for anyone who loves first-fill sherry casks. For whisky drinkers exploring Islay beyond the smoke, this single malt is a fine place to start. It proves the island makes more than peat monsters. Bunnahabhain spirit and a quality sherry butt make a classic combination, and Signatory has captured it cleanly at natural strength.