Bunnahabhain 1966 MM Celtic Heartlands
| Category | SINGLE MALT |
| Distillery | Bunnahabhain |
| Bottler | Murray McDavid (MM) |
| Bottling Series | Celtic Heartlands |
| Vintage | 1966 |
| Bottled Year | 2004 |
| Age | 37년 |
| Cask Type | Oloroso Sherry Butt |
| Cask Number | - |
| Bottles Released | 726 |
| ABV | 40.1% |
| Volume | 700 ml |
| Label | - |
| Country | Scotland |
| Region | Islay |
Flavor Profile
Tasting Notes
Colour
dark amber - brownish
air Nose
now we’ve just entered an antique shop! First we have big, bold notes of cellulose varnish, beeswax, eucalyptus and camphor plus the lady-dealer’s perfume (Chanel, preferably)… It’s really big whisky! Then these extravagant notes calm down and let some subtler ones go through, such as Seville oranges, Smyrna raisins and ripe bananas (just any), dried figs, dates, caramel liqueur, praline, apricot pie… And then we have the fab sherry itself – more like a very old Banyuls actually. It keeps developing on “coffee-schnapps”, bigaroon cherries, blackcurrant liqueur… Something of a big bold old Chambertin from a first class winemaker’s. A rather fabulous old sherried Glen Grant that will make us regret that so many of its siblings have been reduced to 40 or 43% in the past. Oh, did I mention the notes of well-hung game and balsamic vinegar?
restaurant Palate
get this: it’s even better on the palate than on the nose. Extremely firm, compact, without one single ounce of tannins - or ‘cardboardiness’ for that matter. Majestically candied, mentholated, caramelized and spicy (like a great fruitcake with cloves, chinese anise and cinnamon). Also all sorts of jams (all, really) and armagnac-soaked prunes… Plus what may well be peat, liquorice, and tar liqueur (I swear, I had some once! It was made in France until fifty years ago). What’s incredible is that it’s never too heavy, not to mention cloying
timer Finish
very long, very coherent, without one single goose note. (end of maltoporn). An extraordinary old Glen Grant. 94 points . (we’ll have some 1965s soon) MUSIC – Recommended listening: isn't it time for some Natalie Merchant again? Like, let's say Kind and generous.mp3 ... Natalie Merchant still rules supreme, please buy her music. March 7, 2007 TASTING - TWO 1966 BUNNAHABHAINS Bunnahabhain 37 yo 1966/2004 (40.1%, MMcD Celtic Heartlands, 276 bottles) From an oloroso sherry butt and with fantastic hyperbolical tasting notes by Master Jim ( “for sherry matured single malt lovers this is your Armageddon – total decadence – you will never see its likes again” ). Excellent!