Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2022 Tasting Set (30ml x 2)

Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2022 Tasting Set (30ml x 2)

• Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig Feis Ile 2022 Release (30ml, 50.8%)
• Bunnahabhain 17 Year Old Moine Tokaji Cask Finish Feis Ile 2022 Release (30ml 52.2%)

For the Fèis Ìle 2022 season, Bunnahabhain celebrated the return of in-person festivities with a duo that explored the extremes of their warehouse: a high-volume, experimental "Oloroso-forward" unpeated malt and a hyper-limited, smoky peat-and-sweet crossover.

Tasting Notes

Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig Feis Ile 2022 Release | 50.8% ABV

Named after the Araig River on Islay, this unpeated expression is a complex marriage of spirits. It utilizes Pedro Ximénez Sherry Octaves—small casks that provide intense surface-area contact—blended with spirit matured in Oloroso and Bourbon casks. The result is a "velvet glove" of a whisky that mimics the depth of a much older expression through the use of those aggressive octave casks.

• Nose: Deeply aromatic. Notes of milk chocolate, toasted nuts, and plump raisins. There is a distinct scent of raspberry jam and balsamic glaze lurking in the background.

• Palate: Velvety and rich. Dark toffee and dark chocolate are balanced by cinnamon spice and roasted coffee beans. The PX octaves provide a "sticky" fruitiness of dates and figs.

• Finish: Long and salty. A classic Bunnahabhain coastal brine note cuts through the heavy sherry sweetness.

Why this bottle is special: Abhainn Araig was the "hero" release of the 2022 festival. It is special because of the Octave maturation; by using smaller casks for a portion of the blend, Bunnahabhain achieved a concentration of flavor that is usually reserved for their ultra-premium range. It’s a "Sherry Bomb" with a salty Islay soul.

Bunnahabhain 17 Year Old Mòine Tokaji Cask Finish Feis Ile 2022 Release | 52.2% ABV

This was the "unicorn" of the 2022 festival. A heavily peated Mòine spirit, it was distilled in 2004 and spent over a decade in Ex-Bourbon casks before a massive year-long finish in rare Hungarian Tokaji wine casks. Tokaji is a noble-rot dessert wine, and its influence on peated Islay malt is nothing short of transformative.

• Nose: A wild aromatic profile. Zesty lemon and white flower honey collide with damp campfire smoke and medicinal peat. There is a subtle hint of dried apricots and vanilla oak.

• Palate: Incredible "Sweet & Heat" balance. The smoky, tarry peat is enveloped by honeyed sweetness, poached pears, and creamy white chocolate. It has a thick, waxy mouthfeel.

• Finish: Eternal. It leaves a lingering trail of sweet floral smoke, citrus zest, and a touch of oak tannin.

Why this bottle is special: Tokaji finishes are incredibly rare in the whisky world, especially when paired with heavy peat. This 17-year-old is special because it captures a "third flavor" created by the reaction between the smoky phenols and the botrytis-influenced wine sweetness. With only a small number of bottles released as a distillery exclusive,