Bunnahabhain 21yo Oloroso Cask – The Maltman / Meadowside Blending Co – 49.5%

Golden in colour.

An unpeated glorious nose on this Islay drop of beauty. Salt hits your nose at first followed by gentle fruits and malt. By the colour and nose it would seem like a second fill sherry cask which has added a little depth over the normal bourbon matured Bunnas.

The mouthfeel is full and oily, and ever so slightly hot due to the higher abv. The sherry comes through wonderfully now, it’s more noticeable on the palate than maybe the nose suggested. It helps give the usual Bunna sweetness an extra dimension and depth that works really well, rich fruits and nutty notes come through well into the spirit. You could be forgiven for nearly mixing this up with a Speysider if you didn’t know better.

The finish is really warming and long, it spreads nicely onto your chest leaving slight woody hints and more sherry goodness for you to saver. A hint of smoke underlines the ending.

A drop of water brings out a slightly buttery nose, and helps spicy notes come through, it’s worth a drop of water to bring these extra dimensions out.

An excellent lightly sherried, unpeated Islay that holds your interest with some extra cask complexity giving this lovely dram some extra vitality. Nicely done.

Sample provided by Meadowside Blending – Forth Wines is the UK distributer who will be selling to specialist whisky retail stores soon. Price unknown at time of publishing.