Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig Feis Ile 2022 50.8% NV

Professional reviews

BOW (87)

Nose:
A rich, creamy arrival—biscuits slathered in melted butterscotch, with a whisper of heather honey. Then, a surprise: a brisk sea breeze cuts through, bringing salt-laced taffy and a teasing pinch of cinnamon and anise. The malt lurks beneath, patient, steady, waiting for its moment.

Taste:
And there it is. That first sip—a tidal wave of salted caramel, rolling across the tongue like a slow, deliberate tide. Spice builds, black pepper snapping at the heels of the sweetness. Then, the creaminess surges back—thick, indulgent, bringing with it a touch of walnut and the seasoned oak of a well-used barrel. Sand clings to the palate, an echo of a windswept seaside walk.

Finish:
The final act is a masterstroke—dark chocolate-dusted sea salt, lingering with a confident spice. White pepper pricks the tongue, a last reminder of its boldness, before it fades into a long, creamy farewell. A dram that knows exactly what it is—and isn't afraid to show it.

Malt Fascination (83)

Sniff:
There’s a very thick syrupy sweetness to it, like date paste or soft dried plums. A lot of sweetness. There’s the more typical note of hay and salinity that is rather common in Bunnahabhain too. Some old coffee grounds too.

Sip:
The arrival has some white pepper, but is otherwise rather thin. The sweetness is toned down in such a way that it feels a bit consisted. It get’s a bit hotter after a while, with more hay, old barley and marram grass.

Swallow:
The finish luckily is consistent with the palate. Less hot, and more focus on the grassy, Islay-y notes. It has a bit of that Bunnahabhain dirtiness too.

It’s not a ‘clean’ whisky, but that something I rather like. What I like a lot less is that the nose is so inconsistent with what comes after. The nose shows the small PX casks a bit too much, compared to the palate and finish. Not Bunnahabhain’s best. Not their worst either.