Here we have a heavily peated Bunnahabhain from the independent bottler SMWS; it came out as part of their 2026 Festival Releases.  These peated Bunnahabhain have been fairly common from SMWS over the last couple years, and so this did not quite get my wheels spinning in the same way as the other bottles.  I had confidence it would be good— great even (a prior peaty Bunna was one of my favorite festival releases)— but I have several similar whiskies already stashed away and was not expecting to make a purchase.

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Whisky: Bunnahabhain 12 Year (2013), SMWS 10.299 “Decadent deck oil”

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 54.2%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead (8Y), First Fill American Oak PX Hogshead

Age: 12 Years (Distilled 16 Oct. 2013)

Notes: Roasted meats filled the air— chicken, pork, lamb, I could never decide quite what it was, but it was turning slowly on a split with the sizzle of fat, herbs, and sugars on a hot flame. Fennel, dried parsley, and turmeric appeared at times with hot tar, salty coastal air, and billowing smoke from a grill fire that got a little out of control; it was herbal, smokey, maritime, and a bit dirty. Medium-bodied on the palate, the flavors were sweet with caramelized peaches and apricots— stone fruits with a kiss of grill smoke. Meatier notions of ham lingered further in, something brined and baked with brown sugar and apples, or charred pork belly with a sweet glaze. Heather, a touch of tobacco, and salty coastal breezes hid even further in, typically unnoticed behind sweet toasted sugars and grill smoke. The finish was long and slightly drying with toasted herbs, charred wood, and dried fruits.

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Score: 7+ (85)

Mental Image: Summer Grillfest

Conclusion: This was better every time I tried it. The heady heavily peated malt from Bunnahabhain paired wonderfully with the sweet wine cask— the combination is a classic for a reason. I was not a fan of these casks prior to their baptism in sherry, so I appreciated the evolution (or additional cask enhancement if I want to borrow a term from Murray McDavid). The flavors were loud, but companionable so that they were never conflicted or confused, but always complementary.  Overall, a wonderful malt.