Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2023 Tasting Set (30ml x 2)

Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2023 Tasting Set (30ml x 2)

• Bunnahabhain Canasta Cask Matured Feis ile 2023 Release (30ml, 51.2%)
• Bunnahabhain 17 Year Old Moine Triple Cask 2023 Release (30ml, 52.6%) 

The Fèis Ìle 2023 lineup from Bunnahabhain continued the distillery's "unpeated vs. peated" tradition with two releases that leaned heavily into indulgent, dessert-like profiles.

Tasting Notes

Bunnahabhain Canasta Cask Matured Feis Ile 2023 Release | 51.2% ABV

This unpeated expression is a rare example of a "Full Term" maturation in specific sherry types rather than a finish. It was aged exclusively in William & Humbert Canasta Sherry Casks.Canasta is a "Cream Sherry"—a blend of dry, nutty Oloroso (75%) and sweet, luscious Pedro Ximénez (25%). By using these casks for the entire maturation, the distillery captured a perfectly balanced profile that sits right between savory spice and syrupy sweetness.

• Nose: A classic "Christmas in a glass" aroma. Honey-roasted nuts, caramelized fruits, and waves of cinnamon and clove. There is a sophisticated touch of rancio (old leather and dried fruit).

• Palate: Incredibly indulgent. Maple syrup and creamy vanilla lead the way, followed by dried figs, poached pears, and a sprinkle of bitter cocoa. A subtle twist of orange peel provides a necessary citrus lift.

• Finish: Long and sweet. It leaves lingering notes of brown sugar, red apples, and vanilla custard.

Why this bottle is special: While most sherry-matured whiskies use either Oloroso or PX, the use of Canasta Cream Sherry casks is a rare "glitch" in the system. It provides a pre-blended sherry influence that is more integrated than a post-maturation marriage. It is essentially the "Sherry Purist's" dream—rich, dark (polished mahogany color), and completely natural.

Bunnahabhain 17 Year Old Mòine Triple Cask Feis Ile 2023 Release | 52.6% ABV

The only peated release of the 2023 festival, this Mòine (peated) expression is a complex "Triple Cask" marriage. It brings together three distinct parcels of 17-year-old spirit:

1. Ex-Bourbon (distilled 2004) transferred to First-fill Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads in 2013.
2. Ex-Bourbon (distilled 2004) matured entirely in American Oak barrels.
3. Ex-Bourbon (distilled 2005) finished in Premium Rum Barrels from 2017.

• Nose: Complex and "global." Perfumed incense smoke (sandalwood) meets barbequed pineapple, salted raisins, and fresh vanilla pods. A subtle floral note of violet keeps it elegant.

• Palate: An explosion of "Rum & Raisin" ice cream—the Master Blender’s favorite profile. Rippling smoke is layered with double cream, crispy burnt sugar, ripe bananas, and tropical fruits.

• Finish: Rich and lingering, with a unique signature of smoky panna cotta.

Why this bottle is special: This is "Experimental Bunnahabhain" at its peak. The inclusion of Rum casks alongside Sherry and Bourbon in a peated 17-year-old is highly unusual. It creates a "Sweet & Smoke" profile that isn't medicinal or harsh, but rather tropical and decadent. With only 1,740 bottles released as a Distillery Exclusive, it is a high-age statement peat monster that drinks like a gourmet dessert.