Bunnahabhain Whisky Sample 1996 26 Year Old Warehouse 9 Oloroso 2021 Release (30ml, 53.3%)

Bunnahabhain Whisky Sample 1996 26 Year Old Warehouse 9 Oloroso 2021 Release (30ml, 53.3%)

This is the "crown jewel" of the Warehouse 9 series. A 26-year-old single cask Bunnahabhain is already a rare find, but when it is drawn from a first-fill Oloroso Sherry cask at full strength, it enters the territory of legendary whiskies.

Distilled in 1996—one of the most celebrated vintages for the distillery—this 2021 release represents the pinnacle of unpeated Islay maturation. It is a dense, mahogany-colored liquid that showcases the transformative power of a quarter-century in Spanish oak.

Tasting Notes

Nose: An incredibly concentrated and "old" aroma. It leads with antique mahogany, beeswax, and leather, followed by a dense wave of dark-roast coffee, balsamic-glazed figs, and black cherries. There is a savory, "rancio" character typical of very old sherry, alongside the classic Bunnahabhain scent of crushed sea salt and damp dunnage floors.

Palate: The mouthfeel is immense—viscous, oily, and heavy. It opens with bitter dark chocolate and salted caramel, quickly evolving into walnut oil, roasted chestnuts, and dried tobacco leaf. Mid-palate, the wood spice is perfectly integrated, offering cloves, star anise, and a touch of old-fashioned licorice. The fruit is dark and "stewed," like a reduction of plums and raisins.

Finish: Truly epic. It lingers for what feels like an eternity, transitioning from sweet sherry tannins to a dry, sophisticated finish of cocoa powder, sea spray, and a final, cooling hint of eucalyptus.

Why it's speical

1996 is a "Blue Chip" vintage for Bunnahabhain. Spirits from this year are known for their exceptional weight and ability to handle long-term sherry maturation without losing the distillery's coastal character.