Bunnahabhain An Cladach Review

Bunnahabhain An Cladach single malt whisky comes from the region of Islay, known for its famous smoky peated malt whiskies. Yet Bunnahabhain distillery is the one that’s most known for its non-peated whiskies.

This expression is yet again, another release for travel retail market, a sherry-driven expression like Bunnahabhains tend to be.

An Cladach means “The Shore” in Scots Gaelic, referencing distillery’s location on the north-east coast of Islay.

Bunnahabhain An Cladach Single Malt Whisky Review

50% ABV yet TRE & NAS

Lots of acronyms there I know, let me explain them:

At first, I was excited to discover An Cladach’s been bottled 50% alcohol by volume. That’s something that travel retail expressions (TRE) rarely do. Usually being lighter, which is one of the reasons why TREs aren’t highly appreciated by whisky enthusiasts.

They’re usually non-age stated (NAS) too, which isn’t a good sign when mass matured in big barrels. Although NAS is not always a bad thing, with high ABV for example. Or with smaller casks or rapid maturing condititions.

So unsurprisingly, this TRE is NAS, but surprisingly, it’s ABV is 50%. Matured in sherry casks.

With those specifications what’s most surprising: this Bunnahabhain is quite mellow!

Matured in:

Ex-Sherry casks

Non-chill filtered, no added color

Colour: Golden amber

ABV: 50%

Nose: Red wine with mellow peat. Light ginger notes and berries. Caramel and vanilla rise up later on while letting it sit in your whisky glass.

Taste: Malt and oak combined with slightly dry spices. Hints of peat and red berries. Slightly creamy sherry notes.

Finish: Heavy and quite stingy start, fades away rapidly. Dried fruits and hints of chocolate. Aftertaste is the weakest part.

Balance: Mellow and young, yet Bunnahabhain quality is presented, so the overall score stays above 80. But definitely not the best showcase from Bunna.