Whisky : Bunnahabhain 19 Year Marsala Finish Fèis Ìle 2021

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 53.6%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon (14.5Y), Marsala Butt (4.5Y)

Age : 19 Years (Distilled 8 Oct. 2001)

Nose :  Herbal, sweet, and spicy.  The initial impression was one of dried fruits, berries, and sweet herbal incense.  Thick and dry the dram called to mind meaty dried jambon, lacquered wood, and sweet medicinal herbal tinctures.  Unmistakable undercurrent of spice— concentrated curry powder with sweet cinnamon, clove, peppery paprika, coriander, and earthy turmeric.    

Palate : Thick and dry with notes of spicy barbecue sauce and wood.  Notes of lacquered wood and sweet cinnamon popped right away while a mild caramelized butterscotch hung in the background.  Brown sugar, sweet chilis, and paprika led into a thick barbecue sauce and saltiness which reminded the wife of BBQ flavored chips.  Caramelized balsamic vinegar and subtle oily vanilla bean came at the end.

Finish :  Lingering dryness with notes of caramelized sugars.

Score : 7

Mental Image : BBQ Chips

Notes : The second dram in the Bunnahabhain Fèis at Home 2021 tasting pack.  I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would— neither Bunnahabhain, nor Marsala casks, usually tickle my fancy.  Bunnahabhain’s official tasting notes do not quite match my own, they described the spice as a background note to fruit.  A brief search on the internet pulls up at least a few other people who thought as well that this was pleasantly spice forward.  

I thought the saltiness on this balanced nicely against the sweetness of the four and a half year marsala butt finish.  The spice laden profile was delicious and I agreed with the wife that this reminded me of barbecue sauce flavored potato chips.  There were some interesting balsamic vinegar notes that came alive at the end, though I wish those had actually pulled all the way.  The nose on this was also very interesting, it reminded me strongly of mixing curry powders at home— not the flavor of cooking curry, but the concentrated spice bouquet.

Overall, this exceeded my expectations.  While it was not really the sort of dram I would seek out, I would definitely accept a healthy pour of this if given the chance.

Image Credit: Bunnahabhain