Bunnahabhain 8 2010 SMWS 10.180 "Westering Rhone"

I picked this up a while ago when I wanted to try another Bunnahabhain after I looked over my states and realized that wine casks were doing well for me. I’ve gained more of an appreciation for unpeated malt since I ordered this, so I’m glad it ended up falling so far behind in my reviews. Anyway, here we go.

Bunnahabhain 8, 2010 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 10.180, Islay Single Malt, 60.5% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on September 27, 2010 and matured in matured for 8 years yielding 267 bottles. The first 6 years were in an ex-bourbon hogshead before transfer to a charred 2nd-fill ex-red wine barrique. This is part of the Sweet, Fruity & Mellow flavor profile named “Westering Rhone”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Russet, Muscat; 1.3.

Nose: Sweet, nutty, floral.

Taste: Nutty, grassy, malty. Sharp/hot. Cinnamon.

Finish: Malty, cereal, tart, salty. Medium-long.

While it doesn’t taste like it, it does have a lot of qualities that remind of a dry wine. I like it enough, but it’s a bit hotter than I like, so I’ll probably use some water as I go through the bottle.

Score: 78

Musical Evocation: Automatic Loveletter – “Make-up Smeared Eyes”