From the second series of Michiel Wigman’s They Inspired range comes this Bunnahabhain.

I had a bit of a shock when it was released since I had just started participating in his ‘you get every bottle’ program, and suddenly there was an 11 year old Bunny for € 175. That’s quite steep even to current standards. But, with Michiel being Michiel and him never advising a bad dram to me, I wasn’t overly scared.

Obviously the bottle-share didn’t go too well, due to it being quite prohibitively priced. I only sold a sample of 3 if memory serves. Still, it’s available at Best of Wines for € 181. That too, is telling something.

Anyway, yesterday was the right time to drink the last glass from the bottle, and therefore it was high time for tasting notes.

Sniff:
Quite an intense nose with a hint of charcoal, leather and oak. Some thick, syrupy fruitiness too, dried apricots and plums. Coastal salinity with a stiff breeze’s freshness. Something crisp too, a bit aniseed like.

Sip:
The palate is pretty sharp with dry barley, a fierce woodiness and a hint of leather. Quite sweet with a bit of a cloying fruitiness (without it being unpleasant). The crispness is gone, but the note of charcoal is present here too.

Swallow:
The finish packs a punch and doesn’t mellow directly. Quite long with oak and dried fruit.

It’s a rather good dram, especially for it being only 11 years old. So, even though I had to shell out for this one, I don’t mind going through a bottle. Lovely stuff up to a level that I might consider going for Michiel’s next Bunnahabhain even if at this price.

88/100