Bunnahabhain 18 year Old
May 9, 2026
In this review, I went back to a whisky from a respected Scottish island distillery with a fun-to-say, in-the-know, tongue-twister of a name. The island is Islay, the distillery is Bunnahabhain, and the whisky is their 18 year old, core range, small batch release.
Just a reminder if you’re trying to achieve proper pronunciation in your head as you read this, Bunnahabhain is pronounced buh-nah-HAV-enn. You’re welcome.
So first off, what is meant by the term “core range”? The term refers to those releases that a distillery commits to - and can be relied upon - to release year after year, with pretty much the same flavor profile. They have enough casks in their warehouses, and a dependable recipe, to replicate that same whisky, year-in and year-out, as much as can be expected. There is always a certain amount of change from year-to-year, cask-to-cask. So despite what a distillery might be releasing with “single casks” or experimental finishes, it’s a safe bet that you’ll always find their core range offerings on your local whisky shelves or the distillery website. Just keep in mind, the core can change, and often does, depending on available resources.
At the time of this review, there are seven products that make up Bunnahabhain’s core range, stretching from 12 to 40 years. But for this Whisky Zone review, it’s the 18 year old’s chance to take center stage. I should also mention, as proof of core range accessibility, every local whisky retailer in my area that I buy from had the Bunnahabhain 18 year old available on the day I conducted this tasting.
I’m not very well versed in reading the bottle codes on Bunnahabhain bottles so I cannot speak to which particular batch this one came from but it is an 18 year old bottling that I purchased at the distillery a few months ago. As with most of their other core offerings this is a non-peated whisky. It was matured in ex-sherry casks - I don’t know what kind - and was bottled at a decent 46.3 percent ABV. And one of the nice things about Bunnahabhain is that you can be certain that everything they sell is non-chill filtered and with no added color, earning it a very much appreciated Whisky Zone thumbs up.
Visuals:
The color that’s visible in the glass is on the light side of the color scale, a very Color-wise, that is lovely. As you can see it’s got a copper tinge to it, like a burnt amber, or maybe transparent balsamic vinegar!
And the legs travel down the glass in a kind of slow, gloopy way.
Nose:
The first whiff I pick up is a very pleasant one, kind of sweet, like cherry syrup. Immediately following that is the cask influence, that unique sherry sweetness. The nose then picked up an outside bitterness, like orange rinds. I get prune juice next, but prune juice with a kick. That woody, earthy scent of almonds pops up after that, followed by the very pleasant smell of vanilla.
Palate:
The first taste is a very bright, effervescent taste, like a mix between root beer and some unnamed cola. If you stood over a pot of heavily over-reduced raisins you might understand the next taste I picked up. Then there is a deeper sweet sensation on the tongue, like spicy Mexican chocolate. definitely some cinnamon. And then I pick up a little bit of salt, a little bit of brine. Next, it’s hard to put my finger on it but there’s a tiny, tiny bit of harshness that lingers on the back of the palate. I get coffee. And sweet molasses.
46.3 percent ABV is at kind of a tipping point but still a decent place to leave a whisky alone and the full-bodied mouth-taste here has me continuing this review with no added water.
Finish:
The finish produces a nice combination of earth tones with salt water and prune juice - trust me, it’s nice! - with warm caramel that comes with a cinnamon topping.
Rating:
I like this whisky. It’s got a mature mouth feel that took me down some very interesting flavor roads and dropped me off on a sweet, Atlantic beach. I am thoroughly recommending that you give this one a try but I also have to acknowledge that an 18 year old whisky is often considered a premium or luxury purchase, obviously depending on the price being charged. And while I believe the price of the Bunnahabhain 18 is high enough to stop it from being an everyday drinker for many consumers - let’s face it, it might be a turnoff for people on a budget who are new to the brand - I also think that if you love tasty whisky, you’d be getting your money’s worth with this purchase. At least, that’s how it felt for me. Although, if they wanted to come down 20 or 25 pounds or dollars, I’d be OK with that, too! But, the bottom line is, if it fits into your budget, buy it. I’m giving the Bunnahabhain 18 year old, small batch, core release a nine finger pour.
Age Statement: 18 years
ABV: 46.3 %
Chill-filtered: No
E150a caramel coloring added: No
Average Price (700ml): $300 (US)
