Review #77: Bunnahabhain 24yrs 1989/2013, Alambique Classique, 50.9%, ex-bourbon, C# 13305, 141 bottles

another German bottler

"Alambique Classique" seems like a silly name for a German bottler, but I guess they bottle all sorts of spirits, including French ones. Looks like they sell a lot of Cognac.

There still seems to be a pretty good supply of Bunna casks on the market, but time and thirst are probably about to overtake those, too. This one will be disappearing soon.

nose: I can tell this is a good one right out of the bottle. It starts off with thick vanilla cream and some almost figgy fruit, nuts, and marshmallows -- I think I was expecting a sherried cask. But it settles down into something leaner and more coastal. Vanilla salt water taffy, smoldering bonfire, and slightly mentholated wet gravel. All sorts of smaller grassy and mineral and even meaty notes, and then the creamy vanilla pops back in. Maybe creme brulee. (uh, crème brûlée).

palate: soft and sweet before a salty smoky attack. I'm really surprised by the intensity of the smoke and salt -- it's like the malt got a spice rub.

finishes quite long, like the palate. burns a little, and then vanilla caramel puts it out. some chewy malt and a tart apple note is new. oaky dryness, but not too much.

This is full of surprises, and really good stuff. It might take some attention -- there are a lot of little flavors underneath the big bold ones - but the whole thing is fantastic.

score: 90