Bunnahabhain Whisky Sample 2003 16 Year Old Amontillado Finish 2019 Release (30ml, 57.4%)

Bunnahabhain Whisky Sample 2003 16 Year Old Amontillado Finish 2019 Release (30ml, 57.4%)

The Bunnahabhain 2003 16 Year Old Amontillado Finish is a sophisticated "middle-ground" release. While Oloroso and PX sherries are famous for their heavy sweetness, Amontillado starts as a Fino and ages further to become nuttier and drier.

This 2019 Limited Edition spent its final years in Amontillado casks, resulting in a Bunnahabhain that is less "fruitcake" and more "salted almond and spice."

Tasting Notes

Nose: Remarkably dry and nutty. It leads with toasted cashews, hazelnuts, and dried tobacco leaf. Beneath the nuttiness, there is a subtle fruity layer of dried apricots and lemon peel. The classic Bunnahabhain "maritime" character is strong here—smelling of dry sea salt and old rope.

Palate: The entry is sharp and intense due to the 57.4% ABV. It opens with burnt caramel and salted butter, followed immediately by a wave of yeasty, sourdough bread notes characteristic of Amontillado. Mid-palate, it reveals a spicy complexity: white pepper, dry ginger, and a touch of herbal tea. The mouthfeel is waxy and substantial.

Finish: Bracingly long and dry. The sweetness is fleeting, leaving behind a savory trail of roasted walnuts, oak tannins, and a lingering, mouth-watering brine. It is exceptionally clean and leaves the palate refreshed.

Why it's special

This is the perfect gift for someone who finds standard "Sherry Bombs" too cloying. The Amontillado finish provides the richness of sherry without the heavy syrup, making it a more "intellectual" dram.