Description

Bunnahabhain 2013 Aged 10 Years Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cask Series 023 By North Star (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 58.2%           Age: 10 Years Old       Country: Scotland

Cask Number: Batch 023
Date of Distilling: October 2012
Date of Bottling: August 2023
Matured In: A Single Bourbon Barrel
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Experience the pure, coastal elegance of Islay with the Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old North Star (Cask Series 023). Distilled in October 2012 and bottled in August 2023 as part of North Star’s highly sought after 23rd Series, this 700ml single malt offers a rare look at “unadulterated” Bunnahabhain. Eschewing the common sherry maturation, this expression was aged for a full decade in a Single Bourbon Barrel.

Presented at a thunderous cask strength of 58.2% ABV, this release is a purist’s dream. While Bunnahabhain is often associated with heavy Oloroso influence, maturation in a bourbon barrel allows the distillery’s creamy, nutty, and maritime spirit to shine without the veil of wine influence. Only a limited number of bottles were drawn from this lone barrel, ensuring it remains a definitive snapshot of the distillery’s “coastal meets cereal” DNA. As always with North Star, it is non-chill filtered and natural in colour.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Bright, breezy, and decadently sweet. You are greeted by the scent of vanilla bean and lemon shortbread, followed by a distinct coastal salinity. As it opens, deeper notes of honey glazed malt, green apples, and a touch of white chocolate emerge, creating a fresh and vibrant “Highland-style” bouquet from the shores of Islay.

Palate: The arrival is oily and explosive. It delivers a concentrated burst of creamy custard and tropical fruit—think pineapple and lime. Mid-palate, the bourbon wood provides a sturdy structure of coconut flakes and toasted oak spice, while a persistent briny saltiness reminds you of its island heritage. Despite the 58.2% ABV, the spirit remains remarkably rounded and “chewy.”

Finish: Long, clean, and beautifully balanced. The finish lingers with malted barley and sweet vanilla, finally tapering off with a savoury flourish of sea spray and a hint of white pepper.

The Distillery

Bunnahabhain (pronounced Bunn-na-ha-ven), located on the secluded north-east coast of Islay, is famous for being the “gentle taste of Islay.” Unlike its smoky southern neighbors, Bunnahabhain traditionally produces an unpeated malt using pure spring water piped directly to the distillery to avoid the local peat. A unique factual detail: The distillery uses some of the largest pot stills on Islay, which, combined with their coastal maturation, creates a spirit that is exceptionally creamy. By utilising a single bourbon barrel for this 10 year old, North Star has highlighted the “nutty-creamy” texture that blenders prize, making it a standout for single malt enthusiasts.

Overall Review

The Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old North Star Series 023 is globally reviewed as a “stunning example of unpeated Islay excellence,” praised for its vibrancy and maritime depth. Critics have lauded the move to bourbon wood, marking it as a mandatory purchase for fans who want to taste the raw, coastal influence of the Sound of Islay at a massive, natural strength.