Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair

Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair, NAS, 46.3 %

Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair

Here is a fairly new product from Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay. The Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair (Phew!) The name is a mouthful, and is apparently pronounced "stew-rahdur". That sounds suspiciously simple though. I'm not quite sure we can trust that particular piece of info..

The name "Stiùireadair" is Scots Gaelic for "helmsman". Well, funnily enough, back in 2014 Bunnahabhain released a special bottling for Feis Ile; the Bunnahabhain Dràm an Stiùreadair (see my review here). Notice how they spell that weird Scots Gaelic word in two different ways?

Anyways, this whisky ahs been matured in a mix of 1st and 2nd fill sherry casks. Rumour has it that this new core range product is intended to take some of the pressure off the Bunnahabhain 12 YO, due to high demand on stock.

You can buy the Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair in Norway at NOK 550 (8269501), and in the UK around GBP 38. It has not yet been released in Sweden.

Nose: Quite fruity, with a fine maltiness to it. Baked bread, nuts and a touch of salt. Not a whole lot of sherry influence on the nose. With time a bit of vanilla, caramel and a pinch of sea salt.

Taste: Medium body and a lightly creamy mouthfeel. Pepper, apples, malt and nuts. Light herbal touch.

Finish: Medium to short finish. A bit "simpler" in form now. Mainly caramel, malt and salty dark chocolate.

Comments: Well, the name is certainly more complex than the whisky itself.

Score (82/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas