My favourite Scotch Smooth and caramelly. I tried a lot of mid price malts and this I liked best (along with the Balvenie). I like it so much I have it on auto-repeat order from Amazon.
The classic Bunnah; can't be beate A superb dram and a bottle I’ve always got in my multi-whisky arsenal
Bunnah make some superb whiskies & if you haven’t tried this, it’s a must
It’s higher alcohol content really helps the flavour; it’s sweet/sherried/a good kick of fruit cake in there with the well known Islay saltiness & maltiness.
A mouthful The most complex thing about this whisky is how to pronounce its name, the whisky Its straighforward, smooth & approachable
Thats not always a good thing of course, sometimes you want a whisky to grab you. On the nose there isn’t a huge amount going on, you’ll get some very gentle peat smoke and some sweet sherry notes you’d expect given how it was matured. On the palette the smoke is light and the sherry influence dominates, you’ll get some christmas cake, some nuttiness and a nice spice on the finish.
I’ve tried the 12 year old cask strength since buying this and its much more complex & dialled up as you’d expect alongside some smws bottlings from Bunnahabhain that I’ve really enjoyed.
Its a great & underrated distillery and this is a gentle entry to their offerings at a reasonable price into their offerings. (I’d avoid the stiuireadair even though its often more competitively priced)
Very good dram 👍. Defo one to try .! Nice and smooth at first and then it kicks in after a few seconds great aroma I’d say it’s worth the money so . Don’t overindulge though . I did an crawled into bed . Enjoy 1 or 2 single shots.
Wonderful. A top dram Honestly, this is one of the nicest single malts I’ve tried. As big Islay fan, this one went above and beyond.slight sweetness, spicy with traces of peat and smoke (despite people saying it’s not at all smokey!) it’s a well balanced and incredibly smooth (really smooth) 12 year old malt and better than bottles at twice the price!
An intriguing sipping whisky Good whisky recommends itself as does this one. Superbly smooth and with layers of flavour not found in the cheaper “cooking” whiskies. A fine product at a price that is modest when measured against the pleasure
it gave me.
A Scottish Whisky to keep buying This is stunning!
Forget most of the travel shop bottles, the supermarket boxed promotions and get a real whisky.
The nose and taste and delivery and finish put this up in the high marks all around. You can read those on the label or follow Ralfy. This is 5 star all the way.
Baffles me how some mark it down for not being peated…
“Read the information people – It is NON-PEATED”!!!
If you want Peated buy the Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dh (Meaning ‘Smoky Two’ in Scots Gaelic, Toiteach A Dh is the sequel to Toiteach, the original peaty paradox from Bunnahabhain Islay whisky. But don’t mark a whisky down if you buy it expecting peat and it’s not a peat monster – get real.
But funnier still – is that there is actually a slight wee peatiness on the nose and palate from this…. Bunnhabhain just don’t say it in their blurb.
Value for money on this is off the scale. Superb. Subscribe and save is about 36 a bottle. Check your supermarket non-age statement whisky prices and for a price of a pint more get yourself a stunner. I’m more concerned Amazon will start increasing the price. Over 5000 reviews and it’s 5 STAR.
Excellent whisky. I must admit that when it comes to scotch, I am more of a Highland or Speyside drinker. Most Islays that I have encountered have been peaty, which I am not so into. This however is unpeated and much more accessible palate wise. This is a beautiful whisky. Would make a great gift provided you can resist gifting it to yourself.
A superb 12 year old single malt whisky. This is a tremendous single malt. 46.3%, natural colour and non chill filtered. If you are getting into whisky or if you know someone who likes whisky I would recommend this.
It is excellent. I had a drink then left it in the bottle for a week. It improved in fruity flavour over that time. I have three bottles of this and wouldn’t hesitate to stock up again. It’s been on sale for 36 and at that price it’s amazing! Just don’t tell everyone!
Non smokey Islay Whisky This one took me a bit of getting used to. At first I wasn’t impressed but over time it grew on me. It is a well made whisky bottled at 46%, non chill filtered and no colouring; so that’s all good. The flavour is well rounded but not what I was expecting for an Islay whisky. I guess that’s why it took me several tastings to appreciate the flavour.
Whisky a hidden Islay gem ! Amazon’s packaging meant that it was a miracle that the bottle survived transit. Presentation box lid damaged, so no use as a Present. Buyer beware.
Fortunately I intend to consume this un-peated 12 year old gem from Islay.
great product but damaged box Its a great whiskey and good value. The circular container lids on both bottles had dints ( bottles fine ). So as a gift I would buy from a shop, pay the extra and get a perfect container, for me its function over form and worth the saving at 36 a bottle.
One of the top12 year old whiskey in the sub 55 price range.
My favourite whisky There’s no doubt that whiskies are very much a personal thing. However, for me, this is my current favourite. It has a very slight peaty taste to it, but I wouldn’t call it peaty and, indeed, that type of whisky is not my favourite. This whisky is very subtle in that area, at least to me. Just right. There is also a sense of sea air within the taste.
Slightly sweet to me. I love it!
Complex, smooth, and enjoyable! I’m still new to the world of “good” whisky, and my taste buds are quickly maturing to detect the vast differences between your average 40%, chill-filtered, coloured rubbish to more complex, un-chill-filtered, natural coloured whisky.
This Bunnahabhain 12 appeared on my radar as it was the one I tasted in a blind whisky contest set up by my whisky mates to see if I was able to detect “good” whisky. It was up against Glenmorangie 10 and the “finest” dram in the contest, Famous Grouse. Eek! This little contest made me realise just how good whisky should taste and smell. The Bunnahabhain is outstanding! The aroma of orange zest, vanilla and oak is angelic. The taste of dried fruits, oak spice, and creamy vanilla make it a complex, smooth and enjoyable dram. One thing I did learn with Bunnahabhain 12 is that not all islay’s taste like burning hospitals, thank goodness.
Bunnahabhain 12 takes a deserved place in my top three whiskeys. I’ve since tried Glen Scotia Victoriana CS and Deanston 12, and while Bunnahabhain is not quite as good as first placed favourite Victoriana, it’s up there with Deanston. I’ve also tried Springbank but wasn’t impressed. Then again, that’s more to do with my dislike of peated whisky.
Like no other whiskey This was recommended by a work colleague who promised “it is like no other whiskey you’ve tasted before”..in a good way. Yes, he was quite right. I normally go for Laphroaig or Ardbeg for a whiskey fix – I do like peaty “antique” flavours.
This has a very slight hint of peat here but the main characteristic is a caramel sort of flavour – it is not an overpowering sickly type flavour but more than subtle. It is very easy to drink.
Seems like good stuff... I am new to Whisky drinking and was recommended this by a friend, my first impression was this is not for me, then slowly and after each mouthful it starts to taste better and I can see why he recommended it.
This seems to happen every time I drink it where as the first few sips I think what am I doing drinking this but then by the 4th and 5th I’m actually enjoying it and can taste the flavours, I found that by adding a touch of water seems to enhance the flavours more and not make it as harsh.
I have give it four stars due to my inexperience but after I have tried different whiskys I will certainly buy another bottle of this stuff.
Worth a try Everyone has different tastes in whiskey and for me this was a little sweet, but it grew on me. I’ve seen a few whiskey youtubers rave about this one so I gave it ago. Very smooth and easy to drink, good flavours (although not to my personal preference) and overall I think you should give this one a try if you haven’t already. Should try everything once, that’s how you find things you love.
Personally wouldn’t buy again but glad i tried it. Amazon was the cheapest at the time and it arrived within 2 days which is great service.
Value for money, there is none bette Bunna have had a few poor batches over the years, but this is certainly not one of them. This is an absolutely splendid complex malt that benefits from is young age. Where the flavours in the 18yo seem to have blended too much together, in this (due to its young age) they really stand out, resulting in a magnificent experience. Age doesn’t necessarily mean quality. And for the price, I cannot think of a better bottle. Look out for the heavily peated 8yo Gordon Mcphail expression (likely only available on WhiskyBase), another cheap fantastic malt that puts other older, more expensive bottles shame.
Complex and truly fascinating I thought I hated this after the first few mouthfuls – it stank of malt and tasted like free jazz, an uncoordinated discordant mess. By the end of the first dram, it started to become more interesting, with dark fruits and salted nuts coming to the fore with a very clean, sweet, fresh finish. By the end of the 2nd dram, I was converted. This is an acquired taste within an acquired taste, a real treat. My first unpeated Islay malt too, but it certainly won’t be my last! The lack of chill filtration and the higher ABV really add to the appeal here, the colour is a beautiful copper and the extra 6.3% really gives it a boot up the backside. Aside from the peerless Laphroaig 10 & QC, the best whisky I’ve paid 30 a bottle for.
Cracking dram Having stuck to Speysides I thought I’d venture into the Island Malts. I tried Talisker 30 years ago and really struggled with it. My other half presented me with a bottle of Lagavulin 16 at Christmas (review left) and it almost put me off whisky for life! Anyway on to the Bunnhabhain.
Nose was fresh fruit, apples/pears with brown sugar and a very slight smokiness and pepper in the background. On first taste (with water added). The fresh fruit was there immediately, sweetness but not too sweet. As it developed a it seemed to become floral, sweet again but not too sweet. This was followed with a peppery spice like taste. The finish long and only very slightly smoky. A smoked toffee finish.
Overall a very impressive dram. Bang for buck is huge on this one. A must buy for any malt fan!
My favourite Scotch
Smooth and caramelly. I tried a lot of mid price malts and this I liked best (along with the Balvenie). I like it so much I have it on auto-repeat order from Amazon.
A superb dram and a bottle I’ve always got in my multi-whisky arsenal
Bunnah make some superb whiskies & if you haven’t tried this, it’s a must
It’s higher alcohol content really helps the flavour; it’s sweet/sherried/a good kick of fruit cake in there with the well known Islay saltiness & maltiness.
Highly recommeneded
The most complex thing about this whisky is how to pronounce its name, the whisky Its straighforward, smooth & approachable
Thats not always a good thing of course, sometimes you want a whisky to grab you. On the nose there isn’t a huge amount going on, you’ll get some very gentle peat smoke and some sweet sherry notes you’d expect given how it was matured. On the palette the smoke is light and the sherry influence dominates, you’ll get some christmas cake, some nuttiness and a nice spice on the finish.
I’ve tried the 12 year old cask strength since buying this and its much more complex & dialled up as you’d expect alongside some smws bottlings from Bunnahabhain that I’ve really enjoyed.
Its a great & underrated distillery and this is a gentle entry to their offerings at a reasonable price into their offerings. (I’d avoid the stiuireadair even though its often more competitively priced)
Nice and smooth at first and then it kicks in after a few seconds great aroma I’d say it’s worth the money so . Don’t overindulge though . I did an crawled into bed . Enjoy 1 or 2 single shots.
Honestly, this is one of the nicest single malts I’ve tried. As big Islay fan, this one went above and beyond.slight sweetness, spicy with traces of peat and smoke (despite people saying it’s not at all smokey!) it’s a well balanced and incredibly smooth (really smooth) 12 year old malt and better than bottles at twice the price!
Good whisky recommends itself as does this one. Superbly smooth and with layers of flavour not found in the cheaper “cooking” whiskies. A fine product at a price that is modest when measured against the pleasure
it gave me.
This is stunning!
Forget most of the travel shop bottles, the supermarket boxed promotions and get a real whisky.
The nose and taste and delivery and finish put this up in the high marks all around. You can read those on the label or follow Ralfy. This is 5 star all the way.
Baffles me how some mark it down for not being peated…
“Read the information people – It is NON-PEATED”!!!
If you want Peated buy the Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dh (Meaning ‘Smoky Two’ in Scots Gaelic, Toiteach A Dh is the sequel to Toiteach, the original peaty paradox from Bunnahabhain Islay whisky. But don’t mark a whisky down if you buy it expecting peat and it’s not a peat monster – get real.
But funnier still – is that there is actually a slight wee peatiness on the nose and palate from this…. Bunnhabhain just don’t say it in their blurb.
Value for money on this is off the scale. Superb. Subscribe and save is about 36 a bottle. Check your supermarket non-age statement whisky prices and for a price of a pint more get yourself a stunner. I’m more concerned Amazon will start increasing the price. Over 5000 reviews and it’s 5 STAR.
I must admit that when it comes to scotch, I am more of a Highland or Speyside drinker. Most Islays that I have encountered have been peaty, which I am not so into. This however is unpeated and much more accessible palate wise. This is a beautiful whisky. Would make a great gift provided you can resist gifting it to yourself.
This is a tremendous single malt. 46.3%, natural colour and non chill filtered. If you are getting into whisky or if you know someone who likes whisky I would recommend this.
It is excellent. I had a drink then left it in the bottle for a week. It improved in fruity flavour over that time. I have three bottles of this and wouldn’t hesitate to stock up again. It’s been on sale for 36 and at that price it’s amazing! Just don’t tell everyone!
This one took me a bit of getting used to. At first I wasn’t impressed but over time it grew on me. It is a well made whisky bottled at 46%, non chill filtered and no colouring; so that’s all good. The flavour is well rounded but not what I was expecting for an Islay whisky. I guess that’s why it took me several tastings to appreciate the flavour.
Whisky a hidden Islay gem !
Amazon’s packaging meant that it was a miracle that the bottle survived transit. Presentation box lid damaged, so no use as a Present. Buyer beware.
Fortunately I intend to consume this un-peated 12 year old gem from Islay.
great product but damaged box
Its a great whiskey and good value. The circular container lids on both bottles had dints ( bottles fine ). So as a gift I would buy from a shop, pay the extra and get a perfect container, for me its function over form and worth the saving at 36 a bottle.
One of the top12 year old whiskey in the sub 55 price range.
There’s no doubt that whiskies are very much a personal thing. However, for me, this is my current favourite. It has a very slight peaty taste to it, but I wouldn’t call it peaty and, indeed, that type of whisky is not my favourite. This whisky is very subtle in that area, at least to me. Just right. There is also a sense of sea air within the taste.
Slightly sweet to me. I love it!
I’m still new to the world of “good” whisky, and my taste buds are quickly maturing to detect the vast differences between your average 40%, chill-filtered, coloured rubbish to more complex, un-chill-filtered, natural coloured whisky.
This Bunnahabhain 12 appeared on my radar as it was the one I tasted in a blind whisky contest set up by my whisky mates to see if I was able to detect “good” whisky. It was up against Glenmorangie 10 and the “finest” dram in the contest, Famous Grouse. Eek! This little contest made me realise just how good whisky should taste and smell. The Bunnahabhain is outstanding! The aroma of orange zest, vanilla and oak is angelic. The taste of dried fruits, oak spice, and creamy vanilla make it a complex, smooth and enjoyable dram. One thing I did learn with Bunnahabhain 12 is that not all islay’s taste like burning hospitals, thank goodness.
Bunnahabhain 12 takes a deserved place in my top three whiskeys. I’ve since tried Glen Scotia Victoriana CS and Deanston 12, and while Bunnahabhain is not quite as good as first placed favourite Victoriana, it’s up there with Deanston. I’ve also tried Springbank but wasn’t impressed. Then again, that’s more to do with my dislike of peated whisky.
Highly recommended!
Like no other whiskey
This was recommended by a work colleague who promised “it is like no other whiskey you’ve tasted before”..in a good way. Yes, he was quite right. I normally go for Laphroaig or Ardbeg for a whiskey fix – I do like peaty “antique” flavours.
This has a very slight hint of peat here but the main characteristic is a caramel sort of flavour – it is not an overpowering sickly type flavour but more than subtle. It is very easy to drink.
I am new to Whisky drinking and was recommended this by a friend, my first impression was this is not for me, then slowly and after each mouthful it starts to taste better and I can see why he recommended it.
This seems to happen every time I drink it where as the first few sips I think what am I doing drinking this but then by the 4th and 5th I’m actually enjoying it and can taste the flavours, I found that by adding a touch of water seems to enhance the flavours more and not make it as harsh.
I have give it four stars due to my inexperience but after I have tried different whiskys I will certainly buy another bottle of this stuff.
Everyone has different tastes in whiskey and for me this was a little sweet, but it grew on me. I’ve seen a few whiskey youtubers rave about this one so I gave it ago. Very smooth and easy to drink, good flavours (although not to my personal preference) and overall I think you should give this one a try if you haven’t already. Should try everything once, that’s how you find things you love.
Personally wouldn’t buy again but glad i tried it. Amazon was the cheapest at the time and it arrived within 2 days which is great service.
Value for money, there is none bette
Bunna have had a few poor batches over the years, but this is certainly not one of them. This is an absolutely splendid complex malt that benefits from is young age. Where the flavours in the 18yo seem to have blended too much together, in this (due to its young age) they really stand out, resulting in a magnificent experience. Age doesn’t necessarily mean quality. And for the price, I cannot think of a better bottle. Look out for the heavily peated 8yo Gordon Mcphail expression (likely only available on WhiskyBase), another cheap fantastic malt that puts other older, more expensive bottles shame.
I thought I hated this after the first few mouthfuls – it stank of malt and tasted like free jazz, an uncoordinated discordant mess. By the end of the first dram, it started to become more interesting, with dark fruits and salted nuts coming to the fore with a very clean, sweet, fresh finish. By the end of the 2nd dram, I was converted. This is an acquired taste within an acquired taste, a real treat. My first unpeated Islay malt too, but it certainly won’t be my last! The lack of chill filtration and the higher ABV really add to the appeal here, the colour is a beautiful copper and the extra 6.3% really gives it a boot up the backside. Aside from the peerless Laphroaig 10 & QC, the best whisky I’ve paid 30 a bottle for.
Having stuck to Speysides I thought I’d venture into the Island Malts. I tried Talisker 30 years ago and really struggled with it. My other half presented me with a bottle of Lagavulin 16 at Christmas (review left) and it almost put me off whisky for life! Anyway on to the Bunnhabhain.
Nose was fresh fruit, apples/pears with brown sugar and a very slight smokiness and pepper in the background. On first taste (with water added). The fresh fruit was there immediately, sweetness but not too sweet. As it developed a it seemed to become floral, sweet again but not too sweet. This was followed with a peppery spice like taste. The finish long and only very slightly smoky. A smoked toffee finish.
Overall a very impressive dram. Bang for buck is huge on this one. A must buy for any malt fan!