This 40-year-old Bunnahabhain was crafted from a vatting of five refill sherry butts and bottled in 2020. Four decades of maturation have brought the casks into a deep, integrated whole while retaining the measured character of the mature Islay spirit. It represents Rare Find at its most mature: a scarce parcel of long-aged whisky brought together and bottled only when the final vatting had achieved the required harmony.
Tasting notes
Tropical
Polished
Nose
Marmalade, pineapple strudel, soft vanilla and nougat with soft coastal notes.
Palate
Sweet and rounded with tropical fruits, biscuits, honey and delicate sweet oak.
Finish
Lingering with liquorice and candied orange peel.
The distillery
Bunnahabhain
Founded in 1881 by William Robertson and the Greenlees brothers, Bunnahabhain Distillery stands on the north-eastern coast of Islay, overlooking the Sound of Islay. The distillery played a central role in the development of the surrounding settlement, where homes and services were established to support its workforce.
Mineral-rich water from the nearby Margadale Spring is utilised and is a key element in the character of its spirit. Unlike many of its Islay neighbours, Bunnahabhain is renowned for producing mainly unpeated spirit, with a smaller proportion of peated spirit being produced under the Mòine name.
The spirit is rich, characterful and oily, with the resulting whisky combining sweet fruit notes, spice and a delicate coastal influence.Bunnahabhain's versatile spirit character allows it to mature well across a range of cask types. Whether matured in sherry or American oak, the whisky retains its subtle coastal identity. The distillery's production of both peated and unpeated spirit presents opportunities for relatively unique maturation projects, combining elements of two distinct flavour profiles.
Located in the Inner Hebrides, Islay is one of Scotland's five recognised whisky producing regions and is renowned for its long association with whisky production. Despite its modest size, the island has earned a global reputation for its whiskies, with distilleries playing an important role in the local community and economy.
Peat smoke is a defining feature of many Islay whiskies, contributing to bold and characterful spirits that have become synonymous with the region. While heavily peated styles are closely associated with Islay, the island's distilleries produce a diverse range of whiskies that reflect their individual approaches to production.
This distinctive character makes Islay an enduring favourite among whisky enthusiasts. We look for whiskies that express the individuality of their distillery, and Islay spirits often retain that identity even after extended maturation or finishing. The interaction between peat, spirit character and cask influence can produce whiskies of unique character and complexity.
Customer reviews
Full specification
Category
Single malt Scotch whisky
Distillery
Bunnahabhain
Region
Islay
Country
Scotland
Age
40 years
Distilled
1980
Bottled
2020
Strength
45.2% ABV
Bottle size
70 cl
Cask
Refill Sherry
More to explore
The Vault
A dedicated member area for selected Rare Find releases, Vault notes and current membership information.
