BUNNAHABHAIN 12 YEAR CASK STRENGTH 2025 EDITION
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
ISLAY, SCOTLAND
WHY BUY:
Their annual small-batch 12 Year Old Cask Strength went on hiatus after the 2023 release, but Islay's beloved maverick Bunnahabhain is back with the 2025 edition, and the two years of waiting has brought collectors to a state of panting anticipation. The good news: this high-octane release (112.8 proof) — drawn from second-fill Oloroso sherry casks, with a blend of first-fill and refill casks to bring depth — is exceptional, even in a category that’s stocked with greatness. Bunnahabhain is a distiller's distiller, one that other producers speak of with something approaching reverence, and the 2025 edition, as the esteemed spirits writer Fred Minnick recently wrote, offers whisky lovers "the chance to experience the distillery's unpeated, sherried style in its purest form.” Beautifully put — but not (sorry, Fred) as beautiful as this superlative single malt.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Minnick hailed the new release for its "subtle salinity, coastal freshness, and delicate spice complexity,” noting that it will appeal especially to "collectors, cask-strength enthusiasts, and high-end whisky bars seeking a rare Islay malt with a distinctive flavor profile."
THE STORY:
Instead of enveloping its whiskies in smoke, Bunnahabhain has perfected the art of eloquent restraint, allowing orchard fruits and honeyed sweetness to take center stage. Hand-selected by Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, these casks deliver a profile that is lighter, more coastal, and more structured than prior 12 Year Old Cask Strength releases. "I wanted to create something that felt deliberate," Fernandez said. "The second fill casks allow the spirit to shine. You get all the elegance of the sherry influence, but the coastal character isn't lost. It's layered, but not loud." Where previous editions leaned into darker fruit and deeper spice, the 2025 edition feels lighter: more mineral, more restrained. That’s only possible, of course, because of the superior (and abundant) natural resources that are available to Bunnahabhain, namely, the water that sets them apart from the competition: it's the only distillery on the island to use pure spring water with no peat influence, piped directly from the Margadale Spring. Add to that the tallest stills on Islay, which accounts for a more delicate profile, and their wooden washbacks, which allow fermentation to stretch up to 54 hours. The maturation in north-eastern Islay warehouses (where cool, salt-laden air works its magic) builds the subtle salinity and coastal freshness that makes this whisky distinct.
OUR TASTING NOTES:
Maybe the most important thing to know is not so much what it is, but what it isn’t. It isn't a sherry bomb. It's something quieter, more cerebral … and far more insinuating: a single malt that speaks in layers. The nose is alluring, with hints of dried apricot, golden raisins, toasted hazelnuts, a touch of brine, and the faintest floral note threading through. The palate extends the fruit theme, and deepens it. You get tastes of golden sultanas, malted barley, and gentle spice, while, at the edges, there’s some terrific filigree work, most notably, the whispers of light tobacco and sea spray. We loved the malty sweetness that takes you to the finish, which is an act all its own in this drama, with long and savory notes of delicate oak, light tobacco, and a gorgeous hint of sea salt and — surprise — cocoa powder. It’s a dram to be savored neat, or, even better, with a few drops of water to open up all those layers.
ABV:
56.4% (112.8 proof), non chill-filtered with no added color.
FUN FACT:
Master Blender Julieann Fernandez (who also oversees production at Tobermory and Deanston distilleries) is in her early 30s, making her one of the youngest in the world to hold the title. And it almost never was. Her goal was to go into CSI work … though it could be argued that blending involves its own form of forensic investigation.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and ship directly from the distiller, in order to guarantee perfect provenance. Secure your bottles today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2025 (Dec. 21, 2025 - Mar. 20, 2026). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer only valid in AZ, CA, CO, FL, MN, NJ, NV, & TX. This offer will expire on November 2, 2025.