Bunnahabain’s sought-after collection of un-chillfiltered single malt whiskies offers a lux addition to your festive shopping list. A great gift for new whisky lovers and seasoned aficionados alike, the collection is exclusive to fine-whisky outlets including Whisky Brother situated in the Hyde Park Corner shopping centre in Johannesburg, Wild About Whisky in Dullstroom, as well as Makro and Norman Goodfellows outlets nationwide.

The award-winning range is also available from www.vinoteque.co.za, an online retailer of fine wines and spirits offering free delivery on purchases above R 1 100.

Bunnahabhain has in recent years developed something of a cult following amongst aficionados for the relative rarity of its whiskies and their singular flavour that is quite unlike the peaty, smoky malts traditionally associated with the island of Islay that is home to the Bunnahabhain distillery.

The distillery is the only one on the island which uses a natural spring water source and unpeated barley in the production of most of its malts, including its 12-, 18- and 25-year-old expressions that are sold in South Africa. Lacking the influence of Islay’s peaty moors, these malts are far lighter on the palate than their Islay counterparts. They are also un-chillfiltered in a return to a very traditional technique that gives rise to a rich depth of colour, aroma and flavour – as natural as when they come out of the cask.

Bunnahabhain, founded in 1881, is pronounced Bŭ-na-ha-venn and means mouth of the river in Scots Gaelic, referring to the Margadale River that flows close by.

The price of Bunnahabhain ranges from R580 to R900 to R2 600 for the 12-, 18- and 25-year-old whiskies respectively.

Product descriptions and recent awards

Bunnahabhain 12-year-old

Description
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Aromatic with subtle smoke.
Taste: Light fruit and nuts leading to a spectacular malty sweetness.
Finish: Full-bodied and lingering.

Recent awards
2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: silver medal
2015 Scotch Whisky Masters: gold medal
2015 International Spirits Challenge: silver medal
2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: double gold medal
2014 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC): silver outstanding medal
2014 World Whisky Awards: Best Islay single malt whisky (12 years and under).

Bunnahabhain 18-year-old

Description:
Colour: Rich gold.
Nose: Honeyed nuts and a slightly salty tang, followed by rich toffee and leathery oak aromas.
Taste: Mellow sherried nuts and shavings of the finest natural oak.
Finish: Dry notes interspersed with mixed spices leading to a light salt and sherry finale.

Recent awards:
2015 World Whisky Awards: Best Islay single malt whisky (13 to 20 years)
2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: silver medal
2015 Scotch Whisky Masters: master
2015 International Spirits Challenge: silver medal
2015 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC): silver outstanding medal
2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: gold medal.

Bunnahabhain 25-year-old

Description:
Colour: Amber gold.
Nose: Sweet caramel dessert aromas with subtle suggestions of oak and polished leather.
Taste: Sweet berries and cream progress to roasted nut and malt.
Finish: Soft yet dry, with a sense of lingering flavours of sugar and spiced oak.

Recent awards:
2015 World Whisky Awards: Best Islay single malt whisky (21 years and over)
2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: double gold medal
2015 Scotch Whisky Masters: master
2015 International Spirits Challenge: gold medal
2015 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC): silver outstanding medal
2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: silver medal
2014 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC): gold medal.

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