Released before the distillery’s full rebrand and long before “unpeated Islay” became a talking point, Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old XVIII (2011 Edition) is a quietly monumental whisky. This limited pre-rebrand bottling marked a turning point for Bunnahabhain, when they embraced natural presentation and a return to craft. Rich, complex, and non-chill filtered, it reflects Islay’s softer, more soulful side.

Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old XVIII – 2011 Edition
Brand: Bunnahabhain | Category: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 43% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Vol: 70cl

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Deep and luxurious. Notes of sultanas, dark chocolate, polished wood, and sweet pipe tobacco unfold, with a faint saline edge hinting at the sea.
Palate: Full and rounded. Sherry soaked figs, roasted hazelnuts, orange marmalade, and honeyed oak mingle with gentle spice and malted richness.
Finish: Long and elegant. Soft dried fruit, old leather, and a wisp of coastal brine leave a graceful, slow fading warmth.

Production Details:
Matured primarily in ex sherry casks and bottled without chill filtration, this edition offers a richer, more classic Bunnahabhain profile compared to later batches. Distilled on the northeastern coast of Islay, where sea air influences every cask, the 2011 release shows remarkable balance between cask influence and maritime character.

Perfect For:
Evenings that demand stillness and depth. This is a slow sipping dram for the collector, the storyteller, or anyone who appreciates the elegance of aged whisky without peat’s interruption.

Expert Notes:
Praised by longtime fans as one of the finest batches of the Bunnahabhain 18 series, the 2011 edition gained a cult following for its richness and structure. It captures the distillery's pivot back to quality focused, natural style bottlings, no color added, no filtration, just pure, aged whisky.

Customer Reviews:
"This is what unpeated Islay dreams are made of. Rich, salty, refined."
"Had a dram of this in 2012 and never forgot it, so glad I tracked down a bottle."
"Complex, elegant, and utterly unforgettable. A whisky for serious collectors."

Interesting Fact:
This 2011 edition was among the earliest to feature Bunnahabhain’s transition to non chill filtered and natural color presentations, paving the way for its modern identity as Islay’s gentle giant.

Serving Suggestions:
Sip it neat and take your time. A few drops of water coax out more dried fruit and spice. It pairs beautifully with walnut cake, dried figs, or a slice of aged Comté cheese.

Distillery Background:
Founded in 1881, Bunnahabhain has always been the outlier on Islay, favoring unpeated expressions that highlight the island’s maritime influence and sherried richness. Nestled near the Sound of Islay, its remote setting and traditional methods create a whisky experience unlike any other on the island. The 18 Year Old XVIII (2011 Edition) is a landmark bottling in the distillery’s evolution, honest, handcrafted, and hauntingly good.