Whisky : Bunnahabhain Staoisha 6 Year SMWS 10.198 “Peat fire in a storm” 

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 61%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon (4Y), 2nd Fill Moscatel (2Y)

Age : 6 Years (Distilled 17 Oct. 2013)

Nose : Chocolatey char, rough seas, and creamy tropical fruits.  Chocolate fondue pot swaying dangerously in high seas, banana slices, a crème brûlée, and blown out birthday candles.  Burning wood as the ship caught fire, cannon smoke, a splintered main mast, seaweed washed over the deck, and the sweet smell of spilt oil.  Canvass sails— slight grass, grease, fax, and salt.

Palate : Heavy and oily with a sweet salty profile.  Crème brûlée flavored saltwater taffy, banana split with dark chocolate fudge, and mild vanilla cream.  From the Sunday bar the dram turned toward burning green wood, pepper spice, and wet hay.  At the end were notes of salted chocolate and salted fudge ice cream toppings.

Finish :  Lingering salt with grassy sweetness, and tapioca.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Cannon Fight in the Eye of the Hurricane

Notes :  This was an absolute blast and full of heady aromas and flavors of the sea.  The title of this dram probably could have used a pirate reference, or something about a sea battle, as this was absolutely chock full of stormy seas and broadsides.  This was easily my favorite of SMWS’s recent series of young heavily peated Bunnahabhains as the sweet moscatel cask paired wonderfully with the thick peaty grassfire of the spirit.  

Overall, this was beautiful and I cannot wait to maybe find some Staoisha that have full term maturation in an oloroso cask or a first fill ex-bourbon.  This was the favorite bottle for many at not quite so recent holiday tasting for a number of people and it impressed everyone with its wonderful balance and punchy flavors.