Bunnahabhain 2001 Wilson & Morgan 18 Years Old Bot.2019 ABV 59.7% with Gift Box (Sherry Wood)

A departure in style from our usual single malts from Bunnahabhain. Not a hint of the usual softness: this is an unexpectedly muscular and punchy whisky, a true naughty boy! If the nose might seem polite enough, with the usual beeswax, honey, chamomile and a hint of organic character, the dramatic turnaround comes with the first sip: a farmy monster, with wild notes of leather and damp earth. You still can discern a flowery character, with the expected waxiness, flour, and even a hint of liquorice. But there seems to be more than a touch of peat, too, and the whole is simply huge and fat, chewy and powerful. Then it turns drier, and although only moderately winey, it hides another final surprise with an explosive blast of pepper.