Bunnahabhain 12 Year Cask Strength 2025 Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A dramatic statement from Islay’s most distinctive distillery, the 2025 edition of Bunnahabhain 12 Year Cask Strength offers bold intensity, sherried richness and coastal detail in union. At 56.4% ABV, it delivers full-throttle whisky character while remaining crisp, layered and compelling for serious sipping.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Distilled on the remote northern tip of Islay, the Bunnahabhain Distillery has long stood apart by producing un-peated single malt. The 2025 Cask Strength release sees the liquid drawn from an exclusive selection of casks hand-picked by Master Blender Julieann Fernandez — predominantly second-fill Oloroso sherry barrels, with select first-fill and refill casks blended in for balance. Non-chill-filtered and naturally coloured, this bottling is designed to let the distillery’s signature maritime and sherry-oak character shine at full strength.

Critics Reviews

• Whisky writer Gary Carter calls it “a taste of Islay that’s untamed and unfiltered… golden raisins, apricots and toasted nuts on the nose, with hazelnuts, dried fruit and a whisper of sea salt on the finish.”

• Commentary from WhiskyMonkeys notes that the 2025 edition “returns to a profile closer to the fan-favourite 2022 release — rich sherry-driven nut and dried fruit, still un-peated but with maritime freshness.”

• A blog review at TwoWhiskyBros describes the whisky as “older-feeling than 12 years; lovely inviting nose, though the palate is punchy and slightly less complex than some hoped, yet still drinkable and distinctively Bunna.”

Tasting Profile

• Nose: Deep copper-gold in the glass. Expect aromas of sultanas and golden raisins, toasted hazelnuts and almonds, baked apricot tart and a fresh saline breeze of sea air.

• Palate: Rich and robust: malty sweetness meets dried figs, dark caramel, nutmeg and cracked ginger. Behind it lies subtle sea spray, oyster shell minerality and fine oak spice. The 56.4% strength gives structure without overwhelming the fruit.

• Finish: Long and satisfying — cocoa nibs, subtle oak char, salted toffee and a lingering trace of coastal brine. The complexity invites contemplation, though the finish isn’t ultra-cerebral; it leans warm and generous.

Quick Overview