ralfy review 1030 - Bunnahabhain 12yo @60.1%vol: (2023 Edition)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- / ralfy . This is my Patreon channel, for videos released 24 hours early and with an extra weekly 'Update' video. Every month there is also a 'BothyLive' 90 minute live-stream from the bothy with a Q&A.
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Hi Ralfy....I do enjoy a whisky, (as I do your company) but it's like everything else in life.
The average person goes with flow.....a brand they like.
You are a conisur, a rare label. I'm just a mere mortal, a sheep caught in the headlights of commercial capitalism.
My 'go to' is JB(rare)....very smooth,room temp and no ice, just straight.
Ralfi......here in Spain(Xpat), we have lots of whiskies.
Love your channel mate😎☯️🌱
Bought a bottle on a recent visit to Edinburgh. Just had my first dram. Amazing whisky.
Spectacular 12 yo cask strength Bunnahabhain! Love the integrity and I only wish it was accessible in Canada. I have to grab this beauty when I am in the U.K. I am a massive peat liver but this is a delicious dram and I enjoy it so much! In moderation!!
I've asked a colleague to bring me back 2 bottles from his New York Trip for New Year's Eve. 320$ CAD for 2 bottles. 0 Regrets.
@@marsupian Right on! Worth every penny!! Cheers! :-)
Don't feel bad, I haven't seen this anywhere in the midwest USA in three years.
I would advise an urgent medical consultation. A massive peat liver is very dangerous.
@leeknowlton7303 There are still a few Binny's locations in the Chicago area showing inventory of the 2023 batch.
I LOVE anything Bunna makes. The Manzanilla cask is lovely, as well. I love Bunnahabhain so much, It's my Hamster Puck's middle name. Once I did a photoshoot of him hanging out amongst my Bunna bottles.
The 2022 edition was my whisky of the year last year, simply fabulous.
Really enjoying the 2021 bottling. Great quality and value.
Dear Ralfy, as I am on a budget, this sounds like a good value and a cracking dram. Many thanks and my kindest regards, Sandro
Have it, love it, enjoy it. 😋👍
I purchased a bottle of this last year, it was my first experience of a cask strength bunahaibhan and it was great stuff,a must have whisky.
I’ve been looking forward to this review. The 2022 cask strength was simply sublime
Amen
Wow, unreal. I just opened my 2023 edition 15 minutes ago, and went on looking if there was a nice review I could watch after the first sips. To find out that there's a brand new Ralfy review of the exact same whisky from just three hours ago is astounding. 😲
I really like this whisky by the way, but for me the 2022 edition is still better.
I was missing this brand for a while cause of the price compared to the age. But in the last 4 years our government’s been inflation has risen most brands prices to meet this one, yet this brand hasn’t risen here much. So I tried it a while back and LOVED it. Great signature
I got this one and tasted along with you. On the nose I initially got white grape, but it got denser, more toffee/caramel, nutmeg spice.
Taste was nutty, spicy, butterscotch and the white grape came through.
Adding water for me brought out more fruit notes and grassy notes on both the nose and taste. I got a black licorice and coffee like finish.
Isn't it a great thing to taste along with Ralfy? It's like having our own personal tasting guide.
I could picture me in the rainy streets of Glasgow in November nights. I love when you share memories Ralfy. 🔥
Thank you so much for this review. I had the chance to buy a bottle with the help of a friend ... so happy 😀
Can’t wait to try it !!!
Good Evening 😊 Another awesome video👌🏽Thanks for the review and enjoy your pour🥃 Greetings From South Africa 🇿🇦
Just tried it for the first time today. Ralfy! Thank you my friend. This is an impressive single malt whiskey (US). Take care
Wow this is a strong one! I think I'd be pushing my limits with this. You are very right its a decent price for what your getting.
Man....Regular Bunnahabain 12 is now $65usd here in NY. It was only $49usd three years ago. Haven't seen CS B12 yet but I'm not looking forward to the shelf price when it does pop up.
I'm glad this distillery is on the upswing again. There were quite a few bottlings after they switched from the black box to the red and grey tube that were...less than enjoyable.
Great review. Is that IOM TT Race Week I seem to hear in the background?
Good review and can still be had from TWE for £75.
Lovely stuff Ralfy! This Bunna sounds right up my street. Mental note to self....order a bottle.
Thank you as ever.
60% volume for 75 pound = 40% volume for 50 pound = decent value these days for good stuff....❤
I also have this strong affiliation with Bunnahabhain, I was given the 12yo as a present, it
sat in a cupboard for many years then on one special occasion I opened it, not
sure what to expect but it just knocked the socks off anything I had tasted and
so it began. I fully agree with what you are saying about the higher strength locking in
flavours (other spirits as well). I am finding the 2023 rather difficult to find and most appear
to be selling at £85 plus postage. In life you don’t often treat yourself and this will be my special treat.
Thanks again Ralfy.
Last I checked the whisky world had it at £80 with free shipping to the UK over £150
@@xxjongjongxx Thanks for the info.
Great review sir. One I'm looking for.
The regular 12 used to be $50/55 USD for years. Suddenly it’s $65 crazy jump in a few weeks.
I got a definite rum note from this and thought it was just me🙂
This whisky was there! My memory is buying 1966 30 year old Bunnahabhain at Loch Fyne whisky shop sometime in the 2000s and then starting to drink it somewhere in the Lowlands. Cost £100 back then, the most I'd ever paid for a bottle, but you could buy unimaginable glories back then for £70. The best whisky I've ever tasted. So follow the advice and go to Bunnahabhain because it it is like no other. This Ralfy review is a joy!
And weepy eyed with nostalgia. I'm going out to get a bottle tomorrow ❤
Great review Ralfy! I was looking forward to this one and open my bottle together with friends. Greetings from The Netherlands🥃
Thank you Ralfy for your honest review. I enjoy the talk about the spirit and of education of each expression you review. The why's and how's are, in my opinion, as revelant as the nosing and tasting. I don't drink, and enjoy, whisk(e)y because it is the trend, but because I enjoy it and the journey it takes me. Cheers!
Bunnahabhain 12 (46.3) has been my regular drop ever since it was Ralfy's Malt of the year in 2010. I must try the 60.1 though I suspect it won't be easy to find in Australia and probably prohibitively expensive.
I would love to get my hands on one of these, but in southern California, it does not commonly show up. I've seen tantalizing signs that some stores might occasionally get it, but I've never seen it on a shelf. Maybe one day, I will be in the right place at the right time, and one of these will come home with me.
I've been drinking whisky for a very long time. For many years, I drank the big brands because they were all that was available, so they were the best that could be found. Glenlivet was my introduction (with the 18-year), and I must admit that I still have a soft spot for it. However, quality independent bottlings are the best way to experience it - I recently found a monster 64% ABV Signatory Glenlivet single barrel 16-year that renewed my appreciation for Glenlivet.
I was perfectly satisfied with the weak, filtered, watered-down stuff until, quite by chance, I started to discover the naturally presented ones beginning about 10-15 years ago. Ardbeg and Bunnahabhain were the first two, and I have only rarely gone back to the over-filtered ones since I discovered them. At bars or restaurants, I'll sometimes order them when there are no better options and I don't feel like drinking wine. Unfortunately, my introduction to Bunnahabhain was the 18-year, which has become absurdly expensive recently. After I killed a bottle not too long ago, I saw the cost to replace it and choked, so I bought other things instead. Fortunately, the 12-year has remained reasonable.
Ralfy's comment about the complexity of higher strength spirits brings to mind one that I acquired recently. I was fortunate enough to find a bottle of Blanton's straight from the barrel, a cask strength behemoth at 64%, without having to wait in a line or pay secondary prices. I'm not all that impressed with standard Blanton's or Blanton's Gold; they have a nice enough flavor, but they come across as rather simple and don't live up to the hype. I was on the fence about picking up the cask strength version when I saw it, but I had some extra money burning a hole in my purse, so I managed to talk myself into it, and I'm glad I did. It has the complexity that the other versions lack, so maybe some of the hype on this version is justified. Of course, it is a single barrel product, so it is possible that I got lucky and the bottle came from a barrel of unusually high quality. Whatever the reason, I'm not one to argue with it.
Thank you where in Southern California lol
@@danielmacias9068 I'm in the general vicinity of San Diego. I've seen indications that Total Wine has had it before, but whenever I've looked at their website, it is out of stock. If they get it in, I bet it sells out fast.
Thank you again great information I will check
I’ve never bought this one, but I have come close, and now I shall. Thank you.
This hasn’t made its way to New Zealand yet 😩
That one is on my bucket list. I'm hoping to find it when I go on holiday.
Cheers Ralfy. These bottlings are just such good value. Because of the natural presentation, you can add your water and find out where your sweet spot is. You just can't do that with 40% drinks. By the way, the 2022 version of this was unbelievable. I don't think I've ever seen scotch mist like it! Cheers mate, and take care.
Thanks for the Norwegian 60% sympathy.
Norway out of all places? Seriously? Well, can't have it too good I guess. Thank heavens such measures are absolutely inconceivable here in Moravia. If it can be fermented, we distill it >:)
Slainte, @@danhammer106 Different places, different perks. Heaven for whisky enthusiasts Norway isn't.
Bunna is one of my favorite malts. I have never had the cask strength, might have to splurge soon !
Thanks for the dust-in-the-eye tip, I almost missed work the other day for the ridiculous reason that I couldn't get a speck out. Could've used that one back then!
Got a bottle of the 2021 batch which I'm yet to open. Need to get it in the queue for opening. Love everything coming out of bunnahabhain. So under the radar.
My favourite tipple by a country mile. Cycled to the distillery from Port Ellen and they were so welcoming. Been in many distilleries but this one is special. Wonderful tasting whiskey.
Hah ordered it last week, in the post for tomorrow ! Got two bottles of 2022 last year so I am really looking forward to this year's !
Ralfy! Bring back your glen cairn glass. It's cooler.
I’ve just finished the Bunnahabhain 2024 FÈIS ÌLE sample 3 bottle set with 12, 14 & 19 age statements.
The 14 port cask was fantastic.
Has to be one of my favourite distillery.
Nice to review something that puts you in a good mood after the frustrations with Glenturret.
I’ve had no bad luck with Bunna myself. A really, really good malt in my opinion.
True, bought several bottles of Royal Brackla from a shop that had it at a great price, the next time I went to the shop they pumped it 10 dollars a bottle. Didn't buy any and let it go for a month. The next time I went to that shop they dropped the price back to normal. Here in Massachusetts the secondary price pigs need to be taught a lesson and you have to bitch at them as well. My friends If you dont shame the bastards we will get nowhere.
thanks ralf, i enjoy whisky, its so interesting. my friends dont know that, i tried to make them like it.
I look for the rumlike caracter next time
Love Bunnahabhain distillery.
Between the 12-year cask strength and the 18 year-old, I haven't felt like buying the standard Bunnahabhain 12 in over a year. Glad they're all available near me though, and very well priced.
Anticipation, of dissipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'
~Sorry Ralfy, I had to do it.
Here is one. “Malty mischievous middle aged men. “
Haven't had the previous two CS versions, only heard that the 2023 has less sherry game. Well I do find it less sherried than my regular 46% 12yo in the cabinet. BUT it works and I believe it showcases a cleaner, saltier and fresher style of Bunna, which not many current OBs do. Imo it's a delicate malt which sometimes gets a little obfuscated by wood. Here the alcohol is integrated well and the fruit and brine combo is allowed to shine. Fairly Pulteney-y, this malt, in the best possible sense.
Bunnahabhain The Ying to the Yang of Johnny Walker.
Hello Ralfy... Keep the Heid, Hae a Dram! When adding water to Whisky, does the mineral content matter? We have a very high quality "Mountain Valley Spring Water" available in the States, however the TDS is 200-300 ppm. Does this matter for quality Single Malt Scotch?
What a surprise. I just opened this yesterday. Really pleasant on the nose. Oddly enough you can put your nose in there and the alcohol won’t hit you. Wet leaves, nutmeg even. Nice.
That said, I’ll say this much, it’s one of the spiciest scotches I’ve ever had. I mention it because it keeps on biting. On this occasion I’ll whole heartedly agree with Ralfy here in terms of the water. It truly needs it. I did add some water.
Next time I’ll add a lot more.
I’ve had 60 plus abv before and those are…let’s say warm. This is prickly ,biting spice!
Just had the neck pour mind you. Obviously you’ll taste the Oloroso. It’s not really a sherry bomb though. Nutty, slight milk chocolate, chili pepper. There’s a little more complexity hiding in the background. I’ll coax it out eventually with more water .
I’ll get to know it better over time but this was my first impression.
Edit: A week later and I’ve tried adding substantially more water. It helps a lot . It has tamed down significantly and the sherry is prominent now. It’s a bright clean style sherry. I’d say the sherry now dominates the palate. Amazing turn around. Add lots of water to this.
I had the batch 68 a’bunadh and found it waaay hotter than this. Almost undrinkable, not even water helped. Mind you I’ve had BP bourbons up to 70% abv and never needed to add water with those. Compared to that, this one is like drinking warm bread pudding with some cinnamon spice 0 burn at all.
I tried Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair over a year ago it was the cheaper stuff in a supermarket, I liked it and read about how they make it and how they avoid the peat flavours.
I don't like Peated or added colouring and prefer to add water - my wife's comment "Less burny on the tongue"
Unfortunately it's not available near Midlothian yet..... 😔
Midlothian, Texas that is. 😆 There are a couple of online retailers that will deliver it, for $98 shipping!!
About the economics part: read Ludwig von Mises, Murray Rothbard & Saifedean Ammous.
Great review.
did not manage to get or taste a 2022. The 2023 I have still to learn the whiskey.
Which do you prefer 2022 or 2023 ?
This is a great affordable, but difficult to find dram.
75 GBP = 1.27 g of gold
Bunna...
old school scherried maltiness 👌🏻
Ralf, the Scotch mist appeared almost immediately when you added water (compared with other NCF malts of lower strength): is this due to the Bunny's much higher ABV?
That is, in fact, a completely insane amount of water. I would like to understand what is going on here. Did you dilute it to 20-25%? Why?
That’s what I’m saying. This whisky does do well with some water added but that was like 15ml into a 25 ml pour. Baffling..
He did explain his rationale. Seems a bit excessive to me but it must work for him and he's been doing this a wee while longer than most of us. My experiments with added water haven't seemed to add or detract much from my experience but it's always good to see what looks like more liquor in my glass 🥴
Wish I could find it in Minnesota, USA.
Ralphy you remind me of a saying a friend said years ago...vote with your wallet. People think industries have all the power (and they do have a lot), but people forget we keep 'em going. It can take a lot of people, but what we buy CAN steer markets.
I'm just hoping if more people look for certain quality markers and purchase accordingly that they don't just jack the prices of those and leave the cheap as cheap. Supply/demand can be a tricky beast to turn your way.
The Signatory Vintage Bunnahabhain 2012 and the Bunnahabhain Aged 12 Years are the only Single Cask Single Malt whiskys in Scotland so far that are between the 60% to 69% abv bracket with an age statement of 10 Years and over🍈🍏🥝🥒 with only one from Belgium called the August 17th Titus Edition from the Wave Distil Distillery🍎🍒🍓🍅 Well done Belgium🍨🍪🎂🍰
😁🙌🏻🥃 still trying to find a bottling.
I love the 'standard' 46% version 12 year - I want to try this one, available in Australia you think?
Check out nicks wine merchants!
Are you ever going to try the English Wireworks Malts?
@12:12 - Bunnahabhain Auld Acquaintance? I'll drink to that one! (oh, wait - I can't afford it, even by the dram 😲😖)
This brand helped me early in my Scotch single malt journey as I tried all the regions -ending w/ Islay…this was a wonderful way to ease in to the peat; subtle as it is. Recommended as well!
I think you are over indulging in dissipating!🥃😂
What are the differences in taste in and aroma to the 2022 version?
He has reviewed the 2022. But glad he measures this one on it's own merits.
I know Ralfy has tightened the scores but for this cask strength, no art coloring, no chill filtration banger of a whiskey I was expected at least a 90 😅
Sorry for this, but do I hear a motorcycle in the background of the video close to the end? 😅
This is a very nice whisky and still a buy at $84 here. But it isn’t as good as the ‘22 - That was something where the stars all aligned.
Hard to get here in toronto
Did I hear the TT?
Luckily Ralfy's knowledge of whisky exceeds his knowledge of economics by a lot! 😆
Those poor Norweigans...🇳🇴 😢
Is the available in the USA 🇺🇸?
Yes.
Ralfys steamin 😂
Y'all, study Jekyll Island and 1913.
I can 9/10 guess what Ralfy is going to score before I start the video.
How does it compare to the standard 12 yr old? My no1. of all time... probably.. definitely lives in the top 3 spots.
Stiuireadair is possibly in my bottom ranking whiskies... of all time.
It is all of the standard 12 with..........MORE!
I think it is about a little better, the Bunna 12 is also my favorite. I have it ranked an 88, this is a solid 89. It is a totally different experience. But yet again, Bunna 12 is magical. This at $100+ in the USA and it is a tough sale, even though it is really good. Is it worth the splurge, YES. But, is it worth that much over the regular 12, I’m not so sure - at least with USA pricing in mind. Regular Bunna 12 about $60 in my area, so at $100+ this is a BIG jump!
@@pepebruno1672 here in Connecticut I can find the 2021, 2022 and the 2023 at about $85. That's not a bad premium at all. Time to shop somewhere else Pepebruno!
@@javieracosta3439 at that price it is a no brainer… Get all three editions and do a head to head! I have 3 bottles of 2021 and 3 of the 2023, but none of the 2022! You are very lucky! 🥃
Why don’t you mention the 2023 version is not as good?
at least he's not reviewing the same things over and over again.... oh wait he is.
Ralfy, you mispronounce the name of this distillery.
I am sorry, Ralfy, but I disagree with you. You should judge the whisky based on the contents of your glass not about price gouging may or may not occur. You should not deliberately pull down your points on a whiskey just because you think it will drive the price up. You should be objective, based on the content and content only. Otherwise, I like your review!
I couldn't disagree more.
If I drink a whisky that I know I overpaid for, it will 💯 reduce my enjoyment and overall impression of the whisky.
Distilleries should be punished for gouging and taking advantage of customers. They can be punished by people not buying overpriced whisky and punished by reviews that factor in their value.
I don't think you should underscore a whisky because you think it deserves a higher score but you fear a higher score will see retailers increasing the price. But I do think price is an objective part of any product and a good whisky that is overpriced should be awarded a score that reflects the product as a whole including value for money.
If a company price gauges they should pay the price themselves by being exposed by US the consumers. Enough is enough