What can I say? I was a bit worried before the tasting that this malt may not meet my expectations and as a result may rather disillusionment based on the quality of such old (and expensive) whiskys. But on the contrary! Such a harmonious, complex and delicious whisky I had so far very rarely in the glass! The interplay of the soft oak flavors with the complex fruitiness and mouth-watering spice really testifies to an exceptional malt. Not only the key data shows that you have something special in the glass. Of course you can not rate this Bunnahabhain biased and at a blindsample my euphoria would probably have been a bit lower, but I had just one of my most special and most intense whisky experiences. I'm excited!

First: I always have my difficulties with these old malts and fluctuate between awe and try neutral evaluation. It is precisely this objective assessment that makes me think. Do I then subconsciously rate myself worse, as I do not want to be blinded by awe, or do I actually judge better because of the story this malt has lived through? I dont know.
However, as I tend to rate such 'old malts' a lot worse than the average, I suspect that I'm just not the type for that particular kind of taste (which they all have in common). Attention: Wailing at a damn high level ????

Aroma / Nose feeling:
A potpourri of different flavors - what diversity! In front of such a glass I can sit for hours and smell it. Deep, full, heavy and dignified. Quiet, sweet with a hint of anise. Plum compote with rum, coconut milk, almonds, cereals, wax, ripe pear, berry haribo, loam soil and cotton candy. A constant change of flavors makes this malt an absolute dream of aromas.
Continue with some vegetables, dates, dark chocolate with marzipan and tents.
The nose is underlined by a leathery, dusty, slightly musty clay, which I perceive as very suitable and age appropriate.

Taste / mouthfeel:
With light tingling, leather, bitter first impression and a little sourdough, the old Scotch greets me on the tongue. Uff - what happens here? The bunnahabhain suddenly changes its structure in the mouth. As if the sip of whisky would change in my mouth. I've never been this way and confused myself. I honestly can not describe it either. You have to experience it yourself.
Vanilla, hops, malt and a creaminess, which unfortunately gets watery with time, are to be found. Also floral notes, dark bitter chocolate and hot berries on vanilla sauce.
However, what I do not like here (and also in the finish) is the already mentioned in the introduction sucked impression that leaves the malt in the mouth. This impression is reinforced after sipping on the glass to the finish. This old, ailing, "stale-mineral-water-carbonic-moderate" - I do not like it (unfortunately). A shallow comparison - I know - but I think I can explain the best so what I mean: Coke without carbonation. Brrrrrrr !!

Finish / aftertaste / Length:
A sweet, short- to medium-long finish with slightly mineral and floral notes, which gets a little bitter over time and brings the oak to light. Clove, cold coffee with cream and some geranium accompany the overall impression.

Overall impression / comment:
Yes, what should I say. For me, such old malts are like people who are full of life years. They have a great deal to tell and have had to experience and suffer a lot in their long lives. Nevertheless - the power of the youth (of course with all the disadvantages) has disappeared and usually those people are missing at the end of life but a bit of élan.
Exactly this Elan I miss in general with old malts. In the end, they are too bland, too exhausted. Of course, this Bunna is very memorable (especially the nose) but for me this malt would not be for every day. In the taste and the departure of the old warhorse loses me too many sympathy points and acts on me as if he was abandoned by all life spirits.
As mentioned in the beginning, all this complaining is of a high standard and I also understand what is desirable about such an old malt, but honestly? I am a 18 Bunna, at a much lower price, a lot better - and the same review of:

Points:
88/100

Mahagony color, intense and complex from the start, very good balance, clearly a winner - fantastic!

A grenade. Just the madness. An old sherry whisky. So he has to smell and taste. 95 points!

Very dry-hearted bunna, a lot of sherry keg, not so much bunna, little salt and smoke, but still a great malt.

A real toppaint, which has reached its optimum maturity right now to be bottled!

Tasted at the WCY 69/ 50yr tasting in january 2019. After a lot of special drams this beauty was opened. A fitting ending of a great tasting.
The insane numbers, colour and beautiful package of this warehouse diamond adds to a high anticipation.

So what can we expect from a 50 year old sherry cask? Dry / oaky with pencil shavings and cherries? Let's see...