Bunnahabhain 2000 10 Years (Adelphi)
Remember when I reviewed a Linkwood from Malts of Scotland a while ago? It was a blind sample that I had sort of forgotten about. Today’s review has the same backstory. This was also sent to me by whisky buddy Geert many years ago. Miraculously he still remembered the exact contents of this particular mystery sample, so that’s why you’re now reading about it. Fat chance this is still available—unless you manage to track it down at auction.
So, you might ask why I still review it then? If you, my dear reader, don’t even have a chance to go out and buy it, that’s not exactly a great service rendered. And you’re right, it isn’t. I saw this discussed recently on Facebook, where the point was argued that it didn’t make sense to review limited or old releases. Which in a way is true, but that certainly depends on your view point.
I could tell you I’ve been running this blog for seven years and well over a 1,000 tasting notes exclusively for my readers. But that would be a lie. I love that I have a dedicated group of visitors and am very grateful for it, but first and foremost I run this blog because I enjoy doing so. That’s the only sustainable way of blogging. If you’re doing it for the wrong reasons (free stuff!), you won’t last long.
The minute it becomes a chore I will stop. But it isn’t yet and I don’t see it becoming one anytime soon. It’s a place for me to share my thoughts and to regularly write about whisky. Words of Whisky has also enabled me to taste whiskies I never would’ve been able to try otherwise. And not because I’ve asked companies to send me samples (I won’t ever do that), but because they apparently liked what I do and trusted me to write an unbiased review. That makes me very lucky.
Bunnahabhain 2000 10 Years (59.8%, Adelphi, C#948)
Nose: Deep, dark and brooding. Intensely sherried. Notes of leather, but also crème de cassis, coffee beans and some cocoa powder. Some dried fruit like raisins and prunes. Finally a touch of aceto balsamico and even some soy. It is dry and luscious at the same time.
Taste: Thick and sticky, followed by a hint of rubber, metal, espresso and spices like black pepper and cinnamon. Also dark chocolate. A little too intense for me.
Finish: More of the above. Medium in length.
Score: 86
Comparable to some of those over the top, insanely intense Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask. I know you sherry enthusiasts will absolutely kill for this though. Good luck tracking one down.
Photo: Master of Malt
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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