布納哈本 2007/11年法國白蘭地桶
Bunnahabhain 2007 /11 Year Old French Brandy Cask Finish Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
2007年開始，靜置於布納哈本終年遭受海風吹拂酒窖中八年的光陰，最後兩年半放入法國白蘭地桶熟成，11年的原酒，於2019年裝瓶，帶有濃郁葡萄香氣及鹽味焦糖風味，每支酒標都有專屬的編號，獻給喜愛布納哈本酒廠的老饕收藏酒款。
Nose: Somewhat dry and quite oily, A very airy feeling like we’re sniffing it from afar time does the trick and the it’s getting stronger and bolder: grapes, a bit of smokiness (and no, it’s not a Moine release), sultanas, sweet honey, pears and peaches, beeswax. After a few more minutes, soft and gentle peat, nuts and honeyed grapes. Fruit blossoms perfume.
Palate: Just like the nose: grapes and sultanas, a bit of smoke, honey and fruitiness but also white pepper and a bit more peat, dry ashes, honeyed pears and peaches. Slightly bitter almonds and oak spices.
Finish: Medium length, gentle earthiness, pears, gentle spice, honey, tingling sweet and oak spice.
Thoughts: Solid and good whisky from Bunnahabhain. But at the same time perhaps a bit disappointing after the fantastic offerings from previous years. Maybe It’s just a matter of a bit too high expectations or that those brandy casks needs peated spirit? The Deanston in Brandy casks is a similar case which the whisky was good but not as good as the Bordeaux release. The bottom line is that it’s a good Bunnahabhain with terrific brandy impact of grapes and sultanas, just that it’s not a breathtaking offering.
布納哈本Bunnahabhain
1881年建造的酒廠，在當時只有經由海路才可抵達這個人蹟罕至的島嶼，當地人不畏艱難地用船將大麥運抵艾雷島，準備釀造極品威士忌，在追求完美的威士忌道路上，不曾因為週遭的滔天巨浪而飄移過半吋、動搖過信心，因而選用「老船長」的標誌象徵布納哈本品牌的精神來紀念這段百年的傳奇。今日到布納哈本酒廠的途徑已經方便許多，但老船長的堅持、熱情與勇氣依然沉浸在每個布納哈本的橡木桶上。
相較其他艾雷島的單一純麥威士忌，布納哈本的口感柔順、層次豐富，主要有兩個原因。第一是使用微燻過的麥芽蒸餾，保留麥芽威士忌的堅果、花果和蜜餞香。第二是因為水源的優勢，瑪加岱爾河泉水來自酒廠後面的山上，純淨的泉水在地底流動，沒有經過泥煤地，所以特別天然清新。正位於大西洋旁的酒廠，終年不斷的強勁海風拍打在酒廠渾厚的牆上，存放在倉庫的酒桶，呼吸著整個大西洋的精華。帶有淡淡的海風鹹味的布納哈本，搭配海鮮是絕佳組合。
