Bunnahabhain launches Cask Strength 12 Year Old inspired by Warehouse 9

Bunnahabhain has announced an annual-edition cask strength 12 Year Old whisky. It's inspired by visitor tastings in the distillery’s iconic ‘Warehouse 9’. 

For years, visitors to Bunnahabhain have enjoyed drams straight from the cask in Warehouse 9. So now fans from all over the world will be able to recreate this experience at home.  

Matured on the remote, north-eastern coastline of Islay, and produced using pure spring water from the Margadale River, the 12 Year Old Cask Strength is an undiluted celebration of Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old. 

Each year will see a new release of 12 Year Old Cask Strength that celebrates the Bunnahabhain spirit’s character. The 2021 edition bottled at 55.1% ABV.

Brendan McCarron is Bunnahabhain’s Master Distiller. He said: “When people embark on a journey to Islay and try our whiskies straight from the cask, it creates so much joy. But we understand that not everyone is able to make the trip. With this annual release, we let people everywhere chance to experience it themselves.” 

The complex spirit delivers unpeated, oily notes of dried fruits and cereal. This is followed by caramel and vanilla on the palate. At 55.1% ABV, it can either be enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to encourage more floral aromas.

“Not all whiskies work at cask strength and many whiskies don’t stand up to full maturation in sherry casks. Bottling our 12 Year Old at cask strength intensifies the core characteristics of spice, black pepper and cinnamon. But not at the expense of our spirit’s character. In fact, it enhances it. The mouthfeel and texture of the whisky increases. It shows off the balance of the spirit and the wood, but in a more concentrated form. This represents Bunnahabhain in a bottle.” 

Bunnahabhain’s 2021 edition Cask Strength 12 Year Old will be available from November 18th. It will have an RRP of £75 and will be available in nine international markets.