Bunnahabhain 12 compared to Glendronach 12

Review of the Bunnahabhain 12 year old and compared to Glendronach 12.

[@simonfirthseminars4573]

Love your reviewing style. I have watched countless whisky reviewers on here and so far you're my favourite! And I love both these malts, but would give my gold medal to the Bunna - just!

[@robquinn9]

I just bought Bunna 12 today for $55 (Indy) - had never had it. Wow - it is incredible after the first couple glasses: mild sea influence, fruit, caramel, vanilla, warming. The leather you mentioned comes out too. Just wow.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Hey Rob… glad you were able to grab a bottle. It’s an incredible scotch, and for for the price it’s even better. Glad you enjoyed it .. cheers!

[@jamescostigan3721]

I love the Bunna 12, haven't had the Glendronach. I just treated myself to the 2022 Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength and it takes things to a whole other level. Fantastic.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

The cask strength is sublime! Cheers James!

[@jeffmill999]

You sure are making quality videos.. Your collection is really growing. I cannot find Bunna anything here.. This is one I really want..and their 18.. Great job!

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Thanks Jeff! …. It is a fantastic whisky. I’m still on the hunt for 18 too …. Good luck! Cheers!

[@Du57yx91630n5]

"Unique" being the keyword when describing Bunna 12. Its damn near ethereal in my opinion. One of those whiskys that plain old hits the spot and leaves the senses with no want for more. At times it will give off a note that reminds of a Madeira finish or my Springbank 15 matured in European Sherry Oak. Distell Group must have good sources for casks seeing the all the limited ranges for Bunnahabhain and Deanston. Regional character still comes through on the backend though, an assertive finish thats unmistakably Islay. Although, still supposedly very slightly peated as well, around the 5-10 PPM range. While Glendronach is a good standard to gauge for on a fully matured sherried whisky, I would still put it at the far end of the generic spectrum compared to this one. The practice of contrasting really does make the Bunna sing a octave higher, but when the two harmonize it can only be glorious.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Very well said …. It’s a remarkable bottle …. I enjoyed the contrast and the overlap to the glendronach…. Life is good. Cheers!

[@chriskellas2902]

Amazing in only 2 years since this video came out the Buna 12 was $49.99 it is now as of 6-06-2024 $85.99 it's still a winner in my book, but it's hard to shell out for it.

[@user-wy3dl2em7p]

I bought it a few days ago(June 2024),here in Germany,it was €37. They are killing you with those prices.

[@ravishankarbhatt5090]

It is a good whiskey, it is both complex and simple and has everything you want in a whiskey. It is a whiskey everyone will love.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

I agree Ravi! ... I have not heard anyone say they don't like it. Cheers!

[@danamann255]

Good review again!! I picked this up after realising the higher abv was a sweet spot for me. Next try will be that elusive 18yr. Hard to see the Bunna bottle in this video, slightly darker than then other videos, not bad though... Looking forward to the next one, cheers

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Thanks Dan! ... ya, I am always screwing around with lighting and cameras ... I can't seem to leave well enough alone. It is a great whisky and like you the ABV is right where I like too. Cheers!

[@Kvs-vf9nt]

I bought it yesterday. And yeah I drank 3 drams too. For me it's a great whisky price/quality for a 12 year old scotch single malt. It's a very well rounded one imo.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Couldn’t agree more …. It’s really great stuff. Cheers!

[@johnny1873]

Great review! Now you really made me want to try Bunnahabhain 12! (And I was trying to not buy anything in a while 😅).

[@happyhourwhiskey]

I know that felling Johnny ... Ha, Ha ..... well, if you're gonna crack and buy another bottle I think this is the one. Cheers!

[@barrelvisor]

Super high energy vid today :) I’m interested in trying this one, but I’m running out of places around the house to stash the ones I already have!

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Lol … I here you Andy … my room is starting to look like a hoarders paradise … there’s always under the bed? … lol … cheers!

[@joaoalbertofn]

Very interesting review. I'm surprised you preferred Bunna when comparing at the end. 😎🥃

[@happyhourwhiskey]

It is pretty incredible… I’m a little surprised myself… lol … cheers!

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Love the 12. The 18 is fantastic. Nice review.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

I NEED to get my hands on the 18 …. Right now it’s easier said than done though….. let the hunt begin …. Cheers!

[@utoobia]

I’ve tried maybe 110-130 single malts. I cant think of one that gives more quality per dollar. It’s freaking superb..

[@happyhourwhiskey]

I couldn’t agree more … it’s fantastic stuff that easily punches above its dollar weight. Cheers Utoobia!

[@stanimirivanov4052]

Ardbeg 10 ?

[@user-wy3dl2em7p]

​@@stanimirivanov4052Nope. Ardbeg 10 is good,but nope. If you like it,try Port Charlotte 10,it's better.

[@benwashburn8553]

In your summary describing the 'little bit extra' I think you pretty much described non-chill filtered.

[@Dan-hn1lx]

Bunna all day but I'm partial to Islay especially Bunna and Bruichladdich. Glendronach 12 is good but they've started adding chill filtering and such and its one of the only single malts that gives me acid reflux. I wouldn't rebuy the Glendro put it that way Bunna just takes the christmas cake. Great review as usual

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Thanks Dan! ..... I love the Bunna. I have not had the classic laddie in a while, might need to grab another bottle soon ... I have really been trying to get my hands on the bunna 18 but it's proving a little more difficult than I would like. May have to bite the bullet and order from overseas .... we shall see. Cheers!

[@dashx679]

Hey man great review! Two questions though: Is the Glendronach 12 as good as it was, compared to 2-3 years ago batches?? Is the new red-labeled Bunna better or worse than the full black label on your video?

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Hey Konstantinos! ... Thanks! .... both good questions. I have not been able to do a direct side by side of either variations you pointed out. I have heard people say that NO .... the newer versions of both you mentioned are not as good as the older versions but I still enjoy the "new" versions of both. To be completely honest, they are what is available now and without a side by side my taste buds were happy ... lol ... cheers!

[@josesoza6719]

....what a coincidence..last nighr got the both for my gift .,fathers day....just opened glendronac, and compare to glengoyne 18..... was debating to get arran 10... nice ewview

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Hey Jose! ... Wow! .... two great bottles for fathers day presents. Those kids are keepers ... lol ... Cheers and I hope you enjoy!

[@dbkfrogkaty1]

My first experience with an islay whiskey was Arbeg 10. I thought was going to burn my nose off! Traded it for a bottle of Islay Gold. Not as strong but good. Then I picked up a bottle of Grlendronach 12 and I loved it. Now here you are comparing it to an Islay whiskey? Now I want to try this non peaty Islay Bunnahabhain 12.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Ha ha! ... I know the feeling. My first Islay experience was both of shock and intrigue. I saw your comment on the Glendronach 12 ..... I think you must try Bunna 12 ... In my humble opinion it is fantastic and holds it's own to any sherried Speyside/Highland ... Cheers Douglas! .. and thanks for chiming in.

[@benjamincarter6095]

I'd take the 12 year old Bunnahabhain, but the Glendronach 15.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

I enjoy enjoy pretty much everything I have tried from both distilleries…. Can’t go wrong in my opinion. Cheers Benjamin!

[@RTYoda1979]

love glendronach, but bunna is better agree.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

I’m with you … cheers!

[@barrelvisor]

Genius!!

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Thanks Andy! ….

[@jasoncoates1835]

Did that Bunna 12 come in a black box with gold at the top and bottom? Sure looks like that bottle is from the previous generation. If so that may explain - I find those to be a lot deeper, richer and more sherried than the current stuff with the red label. (I have one of each open right now, the difference is pretty obvious.) IMO if you can get any of the 12 or 18 from that generation, do so! I still love the current product but those are different enough it's like two different whiskies.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

You know what Jason? ... you are right, I didn't even notice that. The bottle in the review was a "black boxed" version. I bought a few months back and it was the same packaging I was used to from the past. The picture in the thumbnail is the new bottling as is the one I just purchased a couple weeks ago (tin) to replace the one I had in the video. It didn't register it was different. Unfortunately I don't have an old version to compare the new one too ... guess it's time to do a little hunting ... lol ... thanks for pointing that out! Cheers!

[@Kalibanist]

Strange things happening in 2022 - an unpeated Islay that compares to Glendronach... Blows my mind. Normally, I'd say I hate the whisky without even trying it ;) Here goes nothing, I'm buying it, hope it's really this good ;)

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Lol …. Exactly, my favorite sherried speyside is from Islay? …. It’s a pretty unique bottle … I don’t think you will be disappointed. Cheers!

[@Kalibanist]

@@happyhourwhiskey I never thought I'd say this about an Islay (not quite though ;) but... it is the best 12yo I've tried so far... Heck, even count Edradour 10yo in. It is simply a m a z i n g. And unique. Maybe even ethereal :D Now I think you didn't give the Bunna enough credit, thumbs down! ;) Thank you for this video, without seeing it I'd never try an Islay again. A very nice surprise indeed.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

@@Kalibanist that’s awesome! … I’m glad you like it … my bottle is gone and I just got a new one today. It got better and better as I drank it. I am very happy I re found it .. :-) .. cheers!

[@kellywellington7122]

I don't smell the salt air with Bunnahabhain 12. I do with Oban 14. I would think a very light peatiness, particularly as a finish, like Highland Park Einar, would improve the Bunnahabhain 12. To me, the Glendronach 12 is heavy with dark dried fruit and no 'salt air'. Glendronach also has a chocolate tone to it on my palate.

[@kellywellington7122]

My current favorites are Auchentoshan Three Wood and Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban...the best in sherried whiskies, in my estimation.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Hi Kelly! I have had the three wood, albeit a while ago now, and remember enjoying it. I hate to say it but Quinta Ruban kinda bores me … lol … every time I try it I feel a little disappointed …. Not 100% sure why but it doesn’t seem to offer my palate anything unique or exciting …. Maybe need to give a whole and revisit again …. Appreciate your comments and opinions… Cheers!

[@kellywellington7122]

@@happyhourwhiskey Heh...I can relate, but with different malts. I started on single malts by tasting a test sample at Strathmill Distillery in Keith (a J&B plant). When I tasted around back then (1980), I settled on Speysides and kept Glenfiddich Solera on hand. Then, in 2017, I went to the Orkneys, sampled HIghland Park Einar and lost my taste entirely for Glenfiddich. Since Einar cannot be got here, I have since been sampling around the single malts again, looking for a more adequate Scotch for my new tastes, this time leaning to the more sherried whiskys. Quinta Ruban hits my spot pretty well....except for the lack of any peat at all. I've never been a fan of the Islay peaty whiskys, but that hint of smoke on Highland Park snagged me. I have both Laphroig and Talisker Storm on hand, and tend to avoid them. With the understanding that the peatiness fades first in time, I'll be trying the Lagavulin 16 sometime soon, but I suspect it will still be too peaty. I'll see, I guess. My fixed income and Scots ancestry restrains my choices of the more aged varieties, so suggestions of almost anything aged 18 years or more will fall upon my already deaf ears. It's a nice thought, but not really within my budget.

[@happyhourwhiskey]

@@kellywellington7122 Yes, the prices can get out of hand pretty quickly ... lol. Two bottles that jump to mind are Bowmore 12 and Benromach 10. If you have not tried the Benromach it might be right up your alley. Light on the peat sherried Speyside ... and a reasonable price, I think it's generally a few bucks cheaper than the Glenmorangie. Bowmore I always found interesting ... although quite peaty, I always found it to be more sweet/BBQ style for me than the typical "medicinal" qualities from the other big Islay's. Lag 16 ... ya ... i would surprised if you don't like it but every time I look at in the store the prices seems to go up another $20. It's almost doubled in price around me in the last 18 months. Good luck! Cheers!

[@kellywellington7122]

@@happyhourwhiskey Aye, the Bowmore 12 had crossed my bow, but I jumped for the Glenfarclas first. My loss, because it fits into the same sherried profile as several others I have on hand. The Benromach 10 sounds to be more of what I'm looking for. Last weekend, a check at my state liquor store showed Lag 16 at $100 /750ml bottle and sold out. I could always find an outlet that'd sell me just a dram of each...to compare, y'know? Thanks for that lead! Cheers!

[@xfghsthsh]

Bunna 12 for hyped and its nowhere to be found for less than 80

[@user-wy3dl2em7p]

Really? I bought it a few days ago,for €37.

[@stanimirivanov4052]

Short answer- NO. They diffrent. I prefer Glendronach 12

[@happyhourwhiskey]

Cool! … thanks for your opinion Stanimir!