Bunnahabhain Cask Strength 12 Year Old 2026 Turns Sweeter With an Even Oloroso and Bourbon Split

A Sweeter Cask Strength for 2026

Bunnahabhain, Islay's most remote distillery, has released the 2026 edition of its annual 12 Year Old Cask Strength. On Spiritory it appears as the Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Cask Strength Edition 2026.

It follows the sherry-led 2025 edition with a different balance. The whisky is matured for 12 years in an equal split of first-fill Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, which brings a sweeter, creamier character to the distillery's signature unpeated style.

Oloroso Depth, Bourbon Sweetness

The Oloroso sherry casks deliver depth, with dried fruit, gentle spice and chocolate. The bourbon casks balance it with vanilla, honey and toasted coconut sweetness. The single malt is bottled at 55.8% ABV, at natural cask strength, without chill filtration or added colour.

The annual series has earlier editions on Spiritory, including the Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Cask Strength Edition 2025 and the Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Cask Strength Edition 2023.

Tasting Notes

According to the official notes, the nose offers raisins, figs and dates, with honeyed vanilla, cinnamon and clove. The palate delivers stewed fruits, toasted coconut and gentle spice, followed by a long finish of dried fruit, dark sugar and oak.

Julieann Fernandez, master blender at Bunnahabhain, said: "The 2026 edition has a lovely balance between that richness and freshness." She describes ripe orchard fruit, dried apricot and hazelnut on the nose, with gentle spice and a touch of coastal freshness.

About the Release

Bunnahabhain was founded in 1881 on the north-east coast of Islay and is known for an unpeated, natural in colour, non chill filtered style that stands apart from the island's peated reputation. The 2026 Cask Strength Edition comes in a 70 cl bottle. No bottle count has been published.

On Spiritory it is listed as Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Cask Strength Edition 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Cask Strength Edition 2026?

The latest edition of Bunnahabhain's annual 12 year old cask strength single malt from Islay, bottled at 55.8% ABV in a 70 cl bottle.

Which casks does it use?

An equal split of first-fill Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon casks, matured for 12 years. The 2025 edition was sherry-led.

Is it peated?

No. It follows Bunnahabhain's unpeated style and is bottled at natural cask strength, without chill filtration or added colour.

What does it taste like?

The official notes give raisins, figs, dates, honeyed vanilla, cinnamon and clove on the nose, stewed fruits and toasted coconut on the palate, and a long finish of dried fruit, dark sugar and oak.