Bunnahabhain Dràm an Stiùreadair - Feis Ile 2014

Bunnahabhain Dràm an Stiùreadair, 10 YO, 56,7 %

This is the second bottling that Bunnahabhain released for the feis Ile 2014. The first one was reviewed here a few days ago. The name of Bunnahabhain Dràm an Stiùreadair certainly is a mouthful. The name translates to "The Helmsman's Dram".

This is a peated Bunnahabhain, at about 35-40 ppm. A total of 632 bottles were made. It is about 10 years old, and it spent it's nine first years in ex-bourbon casks, before getting a finish for about a year in Marsala wine casks. It was bottled on 2014-05-09.

The Bunnahabhain Dràm an Stiùreadair was available to buy at GBP 95, but appears to be sold out now.

Nose (23/25): Sublimely smoky, precociously peaty, fairly fructiferous, succinctly salty, with heavenly honey and the nicest nuts.

Taste (22/25): The sweet and rich smoke comes through on the taste, accompanied by simple syrup, cinnamon and wisps of caramel.

Finish (23/25): Medium to long finish, still smoky, warm and sweet ashes with some maritime notes. The salty breeze on the dock in Bunnahabhain harbour.

Balance (23/25): Wow! This peaty dream is as well-balanced as Inigo Montoya's sword. Lovely to have a fully peated Bunnahabhain like this.

Score (91/100)

Image from Bunnahabhain Distillery.

Sláinte! - Thomas