Bunnahabhain 1974

35 year old Islay 56.6 % vol

1 of only 200 bottles from cask 4780

This is a stunning example of how good long-aged malt whisky can be. It is the colour of Cola or Olde English Oak and has excellent beading, suggesting a big mouth-feel. The first nose is of scented oil; heavy but with a herbal fragrance which we identify as rosemary – a much reduced, rosemary infused gravy, with balsamic vinegar. After a little while sandalwood and camphor appear, lending a nose-cooling effect when a drop of water is added (it doesn’t need much). This freshens the nose and introduces traces of coconut, treacle toffee, molasses and even liquorice, but no trace of sulphur. Wonderfully viscous and mouth-filling; sweet, mouth-cooling, drying elegantly in the very long finish – like a dried out Christmas cake, with almonds.

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