Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old (2000s Edition)
70cl / 40%
£109.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: Yes
- Coloring: Yes
Tasting Notes
Marshmallows, Apples, Wet Wood and Prunes
Raisins, Pastry, Dates, Brine and Oak
Medium Finish, Malt, Apple and Oak
If you like this whisky, you will also like these
A historical 40% ABV bottling of Bunnahabhain’s flagship Islay single malt, predating the modern natural colour standard.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Bunnahabhain / Distillery Bottling / Scotland, Islay |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Predominantly Unpeated) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 12 Years Old / Bottled circa 2000s (Pre-2010 Core Range Relaunch) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Combination of Bourbon and Sherry Casks |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | No (Implied by 40% ABV standard of the era) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Standard Core Range |
| Intended channel | Global retail |
| Packaging | Older style label, tube, often with a screw cap |
| Notes on discrepancies | This 40% version is the "old style" pre-dating the current 46.3% NCF release |
Historical Context
Bunnahabhain Distillery, founded in 1881, is located on Islay, yet maintains a unique status by producing a significant proportion of unpeated malt. For much of its history, Bunnahabhain’s spirit served as an important component in various blends. The distillery’s single malt core range was anchored by the 12 Year Old, which was historically bottled at the standard industry strength of 40% ABV.
The '2000s Edition' refers specifically to bottles released prior to a major repositioning of the core range that took place in the early 2010s. The modern, critically acclaimed 12 Year Old is now presented at 46.3% ABV, Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF), and with Natural Colour.
This older 40% bottling is primarily sought after as a historical reference point. Its existence demonstrates the commercial pressures of the era, where maintaining clarity and consistency often dictated bottling at minimum strength and employing chill-filtration. The lower ABV and likely chill-filtration distinguish this liquid significantly from its modern successor. This historical bottle serves as a valuable document of the distillery's evolution.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The critical technical characteristic confirming this bottling as the '2000s Edition' is the 40% ABV. The whisky is aged for 12 years in a mix of predominantly bourbon and sherry casks. The visual description of the liquid as russet-hued amber suggests that it likely contained E150a spirit caramel for colour uniformity. Given the low strength, it is implied that the liquid underwent Chill-Filtration (CF).
Documented variants
The Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old core expression is delineated by its ABV, which corresponds directly to its era of bottling.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40.0% | 70cl | Global (Pre-2010s) | Old packaging, likely CF, possibly screw cap | Moderate (Historical/Comparative) |
| 46.3% | 70cl | Global (Post-2010s) | NCF, Natural Colour, cork closure | Standard Core Range (High) |
| 50.0%+ | 70cl | Limited (Annual CS) | Special edition batch specific releases | Specialist (Highest intensity) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Buyers must confirm the 40% ABV and the 12 Year Old age statement. The older packaging typically features an older label design and presentation tube. Unlike the current release, the packaging will notably lack any claims of "Non-Chill Filtered" or "Natural Colour". Some bottlings from this era may feature a screw cap closure. Care must be taken not to confuse this historical version with the modern 46.3% NCF release.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The most relevant note is the implied use of Chill-Filtration (CF), which is typically required for whiskies bottled at or near 40% ABV to prevent cloudiness. Chill-filtration can remove essential esters and oils, making this bottling a lower-viscosity experience compared to its modern NCF successor.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The verified tasting notes describe a rich, sherry-influenced dram, despite the lower ABV, maintaining complexity and a maritime edge.
Nose: Highly aromatic, starting with dark, sherried notes including figs, dates, fruitcake, and walnuts. Distinct salty, coastal maritime notes are apparent, alongside rich chocolate and vanilla syrup.
Palate: Medium mouthfeel, delivering intense flavours of toffee, malted barley, mocha, and orange peel. The overall character is warming and robust for the strength.
Finish: Medium in duration, dominated by mocha and walnut, transitioning into fine oak tannin and a persistent vanilla note.
With water: Dilution of this 40% ABV expression is not structurally advised, as the low alcohol content lacks the reserve to maintain complexity when water is added.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The Original RRP (GBP) is not stated by the producer. In the secondary market, this bottle maintains a stable collector's value. A recent auction result from August 2023 recorded a hammer price of GBP 55.00. This valuation places the 40% bottling just above the typical contemporary price point for the modern 46.3% core range, indicating a modest premium driven by comparative and historical interest. The pricing stratification is stable, appealing to collectors seeking benchmarks for liquid quality evolution. Liquidity is high, and the bottle is readily sourced through major UK auction channels.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Auction (Hammer) | 27/08/2023 | 70cl, 40% Old Style | 55.00 | Recent auction result |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Bunnahabhain, recognized for its refined, unpeated Islay profile and use of quality cask management, underwent a critical transition by moving to higher ABV and Non-Chill-Filtered standards. This older 40% bottling is crucial for understanding the brand's heritage and the subsequent commitment to maximizing flavour delivery in its modern core range.
Sourcing
Sourcing efforts should focus on 12 Year Old, 40% ABV bottles with the specific older packaging. Red flags include any confusing claims of NCF or Natural Colour. Condition thresholds demand high integrity for the label and packaging, and buyers should pay close attention to fill levels given the age. This item is suitable for inventory requiring high velocity and historical representation, often at lower margins.
