Islay’s most remote distillery, Bunnahabhain, has revealed the first of a brand new, annual limited edition 21 Year Old Cask Strength series, with the release of a 21 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish bottling.
21 carefully chosen casks were selected for this exclusive 21 year old release, inspired by the unfiltered, straight-from-the-cask tastings enjoyed by visitors in the distillery’s iconic coastal Warehouse 9.
Only 2,682 bottles of 21 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish are available globally at a cask strength ABV of 53.6%.
This single malt highlights the care and expertise of Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, who meticulously balanced the influence of the casks with the integrity of the original spirit. This 21 year-old spirit spent most of its life maturing in Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts, before a 21 month finish in the finest Pedro Ximénez casks.
Distilled on the shorelines of Northern Islay, the Pedro Ximénez casks lend this latest release rich, sweet notes without overshadowing the whisky’s character, creating a harmonious blend of spirit and wood.
The result is a bold, mature Bunnahabhain expression that delivers creamy berries, roasted nuts, and a touch of sea spray, all layered with a sweet, syrupy complexity that lingers on the palate with notes of figs and molasses.
Distillery manager, Andrew Brown said “This 21 Year-Old Cask Strength is everything you’d expect from Bunnahabhain; our signature unpeated and sherried Islay expression, but with a distinct honeyed flavour lent from the Pedro Ximénez cask finish.
“Visiting our island home and sampling direct from the cask is an opportunity we know not everyone is able to access. This release is as close as you’ll get to doing so, and we’re delighted to share it with the world.”
The 2024 edition 21 Year Old Cask Strength release will be launching on October 2nd in Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange and selected specialist retailers, and can also be found on bunnahabhain,com and the distillery shop with an RRP of £275.
