Assessment: Bunnahabhain 40 Years Outdated

Generally, a storied distillery occurs upon “misplaced” casks of their warehouses. Extra uncommon, maybe, is after they discover misplaced casks in another person’s possession.  That’s the official, press-release emphasised story behind Bunnahabhain’s latest 40 12 months expression, which not too long ago hit the American market alongside its 30 12 months previous providing.

Right here’s the backstory, in accordance with Bunnahabhain:

This distinctive and uncommon expression was matured for 4 many years in a warehouse by the ocean in casks that have been all however forgotten till Bunnahabhain’s mixing staff found them whereas reviewing the warehouse ledgers. Sourced from the legendary wines and spirits service provider J.G Turney, these casks have been house to this gorgeous whisky for the previous forty years.

It’s not fairly confirmed if this launch comes from the identical inventory of 40 12 months barrels the distillery initially “found” again in 2012; primarily based on the provenance, proof, and backstory, indicators level to sure. We don’t know a lot else concerning cask sort.

Let’s dive in!

You’ll be able to barely get your nostril close to the glass earlier than being hit with a wave of fruits, baked, tropical, and recent orchard fruits amongst them. Recent pineapple, ripe guava, papaya, persimmon, inexperienced plantain, raspberry, and pears in syrup are all current and accounted for on a nostril that carries each ethanol and tart fruit aromas higher than its proof implies. Proper below that fruit basket lies sizzling caramel, darkish toffee, and only a trace of mint chocolate. Dry wooden tannins lower by the fruit on the very finish of a deep inhale; for such a busy nostril, it’s mighty effectively composed, and a deal with to smell.

The primary style brings toffee, baking chocolate, and espresso, adopted shortly thereafter by tart berries and pineapple the other way up cake. Silky mango pudding and coconut cream lead the following few tastes, and that espresso factor hangs on simply lengthy sufficient to be noticeable within the again palate. It’s a tropical dessert and after-meal espresso suddenly.

Cinnamon spice evenly punctuates the end because the dominant flavors tip over into overripe pineapple and Luxardo cherry. It’s a barely dryer final act, however after such a wealthy and fruity end, the amped up tannins present distinction and actually assist stick the touchdown.

83.8 proof.

A / $3,786 (700ml) / bunnahabhain.com

Bunnahabhain 40 Years Outdated

$3786