The Bunnahabhain distillery was founded in 1881 and began production in January 1883. More recently, in 1963 the number of stills was increased from two to four and its floor maltings were decommissioned. It was closed for a short period between 1982 and 1984. In 2014, the old malting floors were converted into warehouses. Extremely poetic right from the initial nose, this version distilled on 3rd April 1978 unavoidably sweeps us up in its wake. It has to be said that its fruity, floral, spicy, vanilla, chocolate, tarry and malty arguments have such a power of persuasion that it is impossible not to give in to temptation. The tasting finishes as it began, on incredibly complex and elegant notes of sherry.

Colour: orangey copper with glints of mahogany.

Profile: the distinguished initial nose reveals aromas of sherry (walnut, almond, apricot), wildflower and citrus fruit. Allowed to breathe, it becomes even more tertiary (corinthian raisin). The dynamic attack is salty, exotic (passion fruit) and roasted. The mid-palate wavers between papier d’Armenie and tar. The long finish is malty, vanilla and jammy (rhubarb), with a hint of smoke.

The whisky was disgorged and bottled under my supervision in the Town of Pitlochry on 12th June 2018.

Andrew W. Symington, Managing Director, Signatory Vintage

• Product type
  Single Malt
• Distillery / brand
  Bunnahabhain
• Country
  Scotland
• Region
  Islay
• Bottler
  Signatory
• Cask type
  Sherry
• Distillation date
  3rd of April 1978
• Bottling date
  12th of June 2018
• Age
  40 years old
• Non-chillfiltered
  Yes
• Natural colour
  Yes
• SKU
  032891