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Whisky Review: Bunnahabhain 21 Year Old (Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish)

Bunnahabhain stands out among Islay distilleries primarily due to its unique approach to peat, or rather, its lack thereof.

OVERALL RATING

8
$309
  • Moa Reynolds is a Swedish whisky enthusiast and award-winning communicator.
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Tasting Notes

About:

The Bunnahbahain 21 Year Old Pedro Ximinez Finish 2024 Edition is the first in a series of annual 21 Year Old releases from the distillery. It is bottled at cask strength and has been finished in ex-Pedro Ximinez sherry casks after an initial maturation in ex-oloroso casks.
Appearance:
Elegant auburn, reminiscent of polished wood and autumn leaves.
Nose:
The nose hold a character of dunnage warehouse mixing together with sweet cinnamon cookies, spicy cloves and the nostalgic scent of a rustic wood cabin. It has a very intriguing mix of notes derived from the cask, ranging from spiced orange peel to dry bonfire wood. Sweet citrus and yellow fruits appear further with the addition of a couple of drops of water.
Palate:
The notes from the nose translate incredibly well to the palate. There is more spice from both cloves and cinnamon as well as plums, salt and a soft note of ripe banana. The sherried sweetness is balanced by a leafy bitterness which enhances the complexity of the flavours. Raisins are present, but does not steal the show as the wood and spices are more noticeable.
The whisky holds water well and softens out the flavours whilst retaining a robust oak character which is primarily noticeable towards the end.
Finish:
A pleasant finish with medium length offers the memory of aged fruits, elegant spice and robust wood that is rounded off with tones of sweet sherry.
Comments:
This Bunnahabhain showcases how lovely the combination of aged spirit and Pedro Ximinez sherry can be. A good contender for a special occasion dram. It ticks the boxes of having an intriguing mix of aromas and flavours on both the nose and palate and it also holds water really well. This whisky makes me curious to see what the future annual releases in the series will unveil.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Moa Reynolds

Moa Reynolds, an Edinburgh-based content creator and freelance writer originally from Sweden, is the founder of Swedish Whisky Girl. Through her prominent presence on Instagram, Moa strives to cultivate a friendlier and more welcoming atmosphere within the world of spirits. Her expertise was recognized in 2020 when she served on the judging panel for both the World Whiskies Awards and the Independent Bottlers Challenge. Additionally, she was honored to receive the Icons of Whisky Scotland Communicator of the Year award in 2021. When not indulging in a dram of whisky, Moa can often be found immersed in knitting or sewing projects.

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