Worth the money? | Bunnahabhain 18 REVIEW

It's a re-review today, folks. I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay today. This is their famous 18 year old. I really enjoyed it last time, so let's see where I land on in now. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes

[@Paasken]

My guy, this is one of your best reviews. The balance between review and Geoff Humor was on-point here 👌

[@KnickKiller]

I legitimately lol at least once every review. Probably sitting around 2.5 lol’s per video. Craft presented lol’s at that!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah well colour me flattered. Yeah I prefer to keep things light and breezy. Just a drink, after all. Cheers guys. Glad you're enjoying. 🥃

[@wendyjoya407]

Which batch is the good and bad?

[@ejf8350]

Bunna 18 is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to find in the US. I found a bottle about 3 years ago. Didn't see it again until recently when I picked up a bottle at said "big national chain" for $180. And that same "big national chain" has it for $330 in another market. Nuts.

[@dextercool]

Sounds tasty - €151 in my market (Poland) - a splurge purchase for sure.

[@herostrates80]

Kup sobie 12 w CS albo Speyburn 18, ta sama półka smakowo aromatyczna a kosztuje 390 zł. Bunnka 18 na dzień dzisiejszy jest o 200 zł za droga.

[@dextercool]

@@herostrates80 to faktycznie ma sens.

[@Patdeamon]

Damn, 320 € that's the price you pay for bunna 25 here in Germany. Thanks for the review, the 18 is still on my wishlist and I hope when I grab it it'll be a good batch 🤞

[@crimping1]

12 yr old = €50 18 yr old = €150 25 yr old = €350 I take 3 bottles of 12 yr old.

[@ursoouindio]

There are great Bunna IBs out there. They're usually a good bet.

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! 🥃

[@javieracosta3439]

Unfortunately, $280 is the new price here in the States. Ancnoc 24..closer to $340 now. I dont know if it's inflation or greed or a combination of the two (if not more reasons) but the deals seem to be gone for well aged, good spec whiskey here for the foreseeable future. Thanks for the vid Geoff.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I think at those prices you're better off ordering them in internationally and just paying for shipping. 🥃

[@Brad-ic4bp]

There are a couple 15 year old bottles I prefer for the same price ($150), but neither of them are found in this particular area (Portland, Maine). So Bunnahabhain 18 is best Scotch I’m willing to pay for around here.

[@whiskeywishingwell6076]

I picked up 2 bottles about 4 years ago @ Binnys from their "End of Bin" sale shelf for $99.00. I remember wishing they had more than the 2.... I love Binnys End of Bin sales

[@brukuns]

I always have my eyes wide opened looking for deals on this one (the 12 is just too good). Haven't yet but I see more and more of it, it's only a matter of time.

[@franklampard6316]

I paid $150 a year or so ago and have been taking very small drams so it lasts. Currently around $200 now. Fortunately, the 12 year expression is still in the $70 to $80 range where I live.

[@Gwhisky]

The 12 is a banger! 🥃

[@timloucks4325]

I picked up a bottle on a Scotland trip specifically because the UK pricing was way more favourable. Paid approximately $140 as opposed to California/Bay Area prices that range from $345 - $399. Crazy. I’ve only had a neck pour, but it feels promising. Cheers.

[@Gwhisky]

Well, if you want a second bottle, you could probably just buy it again from the UK, albeit not in person. Added shipping won't even bring it close to $350+! 🥃

[@Rohit_M]

Great review of Bunna 18 release Geoff. It seems outside of Bunna 12, there is some batch variability in Bunna 18, and CS releases. I will need to check the year of Bunna 18 that I acquired sometime in late 2022 or early 2023. This was a bottle to get when they had the old labelling.

[@lightplays2181]

Hi Geoff , good whisky and review too : ) I bought it on a Germany alco site for 158 euro +18 euro delivery and my opinion that a bit expensive , 130-140$ is really good price .Gaumarjos !

[@Gwhisky]

Yes it's overpriced in most markets. I'm lucky it's affordable here in Taiwan. Gaumarjos! 🥃

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

Great review! I wholeheartedly agree. Bunna 18 was my favorite bottle of last year. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks for watching! 🥃

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff think I’ll need to win the lottery to buy this 18 year old.😞. Like the way your putting a touch of humour into the reviews 👍. Slàinte Geoff 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks David! Always appreciate the words of encouragement. And yes... this is too pricey! 🥃

[@mgordo2]

Wow! I live in L.A., a highly competitive whiskey market. Not a bottle of the 18 to be found but at the “national” retailer (Total Wine) for $399.95. But that raises a Bunnahabhain question I’ve often had. The “entry level” 12 y.o, available for under $70.00, is such a delicious whiskey that I question how much marginal additional pleasure you get from their other expressions. I was able to score a bottle of the 2022 CS for under $80.00, before it was on everyone’s “best of” list. Definitely an upgrade. But when it started showing up at $100 plus…? I have no problem consoling myself with their basic 12 y.o.

[@Gwhisky]

I like the 18 more than the other two, but for the prices in the US there's no way to justify it. I'd stick to the 12 and 12 CS, too. Cheers. 🥃

[@0Wiggles]

Nice! Desperate for a bottle but it is punchy price-wise. How does it compare to the 12 CS?

[@cancalpur9842]

I am your big follower and i Got this bottle from 170eur and This is the best whisky i have ever tasted so far. Based on your opinions i have bought benromach 15 and ledaig 18. Soon i will taste them too but Buna 18 is absolutely stunner for me.

[@Gwhisky]

So glad you're enjoying! 🇹🇼

[@McGururu]

I have heard that the 2021 Cask Strength also wasn't great, but that the 22 and beyond were. Maybe it was an all round, not great year for their batches. But hey, since we dont like chill filtering this is what we have to deal with occasionally.

[@KakoGuzmanMusic]

Total Wine in the US has these for US$350, but interestingly enough, their 12 CS is fairly priced at US$105 (although with limited availability), which is very close to the UK pricing (and you get a 750 ml bottle). I have both bottles, and I think the 18 is nothing to dream about if you can get the 12 CS -- they are sufficiently similar. Even the regular 12 is so enjoyable that maybe this 18 only makes sense if you can splurge and are a super Bunna fan (like me). If you really want the 18 in the US, you can buy it from Royal Mile Whiskies in Edinburgh, for example, for around US$200 shipped, which I just did.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I keep suggesting doing just that to the Americans in the comments. Makes no sense to buy locally at those exorbitant prices. 🥃

[@Ligurtoscano]

I think you are one of the most honest whisky taster. It's always a pleasure to know your personal experience. We have pretty similar "tasting skills" I generally agree with almost all of the tasting notes you describe. Greetings from Italy 🙏🏻

[@Gwhisky]

Very kind words, thank you very much. Greetings from Taiwan! 🥃

[@jaypritchett17]

I saw that longmorn just put out an 18 year old cask strength, incase you haven't got that on your radar already. Who doesnt love a good 18 year old.

[@Gwhisky]

I saw Liquor Hound do a review on it. I definitely want to try it, but I'm not convinced it'll ever make its way to my market. Cheers. 🥃

[@Koby616]

I love the buna bottle design. Doubt I will get my own bottle cause it's around 200€.

[@jackwilson4284]

£125 here, which is well outside of my budget. For reference, the 12 cask strength is around £70 to £80 and the standard 12 is £40 to £45

[@kimoliver5848]

Good to know its a good Whisky. Last time I looked couple of months ago it was €140. Now 150-160. Its too much for me. I will stick to the 12CS for 90. Even that is a lot of money. For my Last Bunna18 I spend 90. Good old times

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah those good ol' days are long gone now, sadly. 🥃

[@ericnino8440]

Thanks Geoff, as a subscribers who watches your reviews very consistently, I was curious on your scoring, as I thought this would be a revisitation but had no idea Bunna 18 batches wouldn’t be consistent. Also, there’s no way I’m paying $320, that’s how much I’ve seen it in Houston Texas at Spec’s (State Franchise) and $300 at Total Wine (National liquor franchise). It would be nice if you could compare Bunna 18 to Highland Park 18, Glendronach 18, and AnCnoc 18 which are priced better than Bunna 18 in my market.

[@vimalrajkappil]

I recommend you add a bit of water. ( Maybe a Spoon) ,it will bring out the dark fruit flavour to the next level

[@richardkilley6838]

I haven't tried it yet but this review has bumped it up the to buy list!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

That’s the problem with this Buna 18 year. The pricing in the US with all the tariffs and everything it’s now $300 in my area years ago it was 135 to max 160. I’ve got two bottles in the bunker and that’s it.I’m not buying it anymore because of the batch variance. To go from 85 to 91 is a big jump to me. Again thank you for the wonderful and fun review. It’s honest and always makes me smile.

[@kevinbetancourt9033]

Yeah Total Wine had it at 330 in my area. They’ve dropped it to 299. Guess no one’s buying? I bought two last month from the UK with shipping the two bottles came out less than the 330.

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Excellent review Geoff. Thanks but a little too pricey for me here in Italy. Ciao 👋 S.

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for rereviewing Geoff . In the past: the same, loved it. Nowadays: despite the sherry casks, I still enjoy it. But I doubt I will repplace it (read: nah, don't think so) Slàinte mhath

[@Gwhisky]

Hah I'm lucky to have a decent price on it in my market, but most don't have that luxury. Definitely one I'll replace. Cheers, buddy! 🥃

[@lesterlau]

Sipping the Bunna 18 right now - not sure which year it is, but agree it is a true banger. Another informative and entertaining review in the books - thanks @Geoff!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah thanks for watching, as always. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@AlinJapan]

I hesitated when I saw 3 bottles available for under 14,000 yen. Sigh, . . . I missed my chance!

[@hansvaneenennaam457]

Hi Geoff, great review, Thank you, Sir

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks, as always, for watching, my friend. 🥃

[@numanuma20]

Love your humor and review.

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks! 🥃

[@steveno7058]

In Texas the new price for this is $300. Retailer said the distributor jacked up the price. Big no at that price and I’ll just buy international instead

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah that's the way to do it. Still gonna be substantially cheaper. Cheers! 🥃

[@SFguy415]

Strange, because Total Wine -- in my area -- is one of only two shops that doesn't mark allocated items way up (e.g., Fortaleza, rarer Buffalo Trace bourbons, etc.). Makes me wonder whether the distributor has a hand in this $380 price. That's what it costs at the TW near me.

[@FerNightwalker]

Hi Geoff... a lot of talk about the inconsistency in this expression, so thanks for returning to Bunna 18. One of my most recent purchases to be uncorked soon, let's hope came from the good batches. Any idea how to see the year of bottling, I looked at the back of the bottle and I only saw a series of numbers but nothing that looks like a date. The type of sherried whiskys that I enjoy the most are precisely those in which the sweet note is not so dominant and those "dark" earthy, farmy and umami notes stand out more, so high expectations for this bottle. Cheers 🥃 By the way, I paid around 125US$ for it.

[@Gwhisky]

Hi there. If I'm not mistaken, the first two numbers from the last series of numbers from the code should give you the year. Like you, I prefer earthy and not-overly-sweet. This one is right up my alley. I'm sure you'll like it, too. Just hope it's a better batch! 🥃

[@FerNightwalker]

@@Gwhisky thank you very much 🙏. then 2022, fingers crossed.. Cheers 🥃

[@danrichards2418]

I'd love to try it, in the UK it's around £125, and frankly that's out of my budget. There's just so many good tasting whiskys around the £60 mark to try I fear I'll never get the chance!

[@jbar6284]

@danrichards2418 are you looking at that glencairn as half-empty or half-full? You're saying you have a large selection to choose from for ~£60. That sounds like riches to me. There's no point worrying about the whiskies beyond our budget (fomo), provided there are still some within our budget that are also very nice. Focus on those affordable ones instead and the fomo will soon evaporate.

[@danrichards2418]

@@jbar6284 glass half full for sure!

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Never owned a bottle but tried a few within a couple of months and had a different reaction each time which kind of made me not want to buy it. It feels like too much variation and I don't think I can handle purchasing a subpar one. Cheers Geoff, another stellar review

[@johnnyhonda4404]

I saw this Bunnahabhain 18 at Binny's in Illinois recently for $400. Luckily, I bought a bottle at another liquor store for $200 about a year ago. This has me hesitant to open it.

[@Gwhisky]

Insane pricing for this in the US. You're better off ordering it in internationally. 🥃

[@WhiskyWolf514]

It was really hard with my OCD to give that like as the video had the perfect 333 like....and now it's at 334....come on people, let's make it 444 like for the sake of my sanity ASAP! Great review Geoff 😁 This may be my next 18 old I pick up. Just a bit insecure about it because of the batch variety...anyhow. Thanks for the video my friend! Enjoy your week! 🥃🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah really hope you get a good one. How much can you find it for in Germany? 🥃

[@WhiskyWolf514]

@@Gwhisky It's between the 125-145 euro range. Right now my 18 year old "stock" includes the Speyburn 18 - currently under consumption. In storage: AnConc 18, Ledaig 18, Glendronach 18, got a Longmorn 18 on the way so probably Bunna 18 should be next...from that age range

[@Gwhisky]

@@WhiskyWolf514 Dude your collection is getting pretty damn impressive! 🥃

[@WhiskyWolf514]

@@Gwhisky Got a good source for inspiration ;)

[@MrLachlanmackenzie]

Best of luck and throw the dice, saying that the 12 had similar issues a time back - not a great look for Bunna though, and I will stick with the 12 cask strength though.

[@Gwhisky]

12 CS is probably their most reliable bottle. Good call. 🥃

[@andypike1234]

I liked milk chocolate velvety note in it

[@FranzG2]

The US price is crazy, but UK online purchase with shipping came in at half the US price.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I've already made just that suggestion to a few Americans in the comments. Makes a hell of a lot more sense than $380. Insane... 🥃

[@alehhandro1]

Total Wine totally needs to chill and calm down!

[@fefe2044]

Couldn't agree more. On April 2023 I bought a bottle there for $200. Asking more than $300 for it now is ridiculous. I will switch my views to the UK websites now...

[@damienlim7282]

I bought a dram of the 18 in a whisky event last year and I was utterly disappointed. Pity, they can make excellent stuff if they wanted to. Seems like the 18 is too batchy for me to risk buying. Sticking to their 12 and 12 cask strength.

[@Gwhisky]

Absolutely fair. 🥃

[@user-tr2vk2er2w]

Great and funny review-as usual.What is the bottle code of your whisky?

[@Gwhisky]

Sadly this bottle was finished last week. I probably should have kept it around until I released the video. 😬

[@JosephC9]

Im in Taiwan. Got it for under 100usd, NOICE! I love the bunna12

[@Gwhisky]

Nice! 🥃

[@KnickKiller]

Crestfallen to Conundrum! 😂

[@EuropaWill]

Total Wine has this listed for $340 on their website for a number of their NJ locations. Absurd!!! I guess I'll never be able to get a bottle of this.

[@Gwhisky]

$340 is ridiculous. For much less you could have it shipped in internationally. 🥃

[@EuropaWill]

And this is why I've branched out over the past few years into other spirits such as Mezcal and Bourbon. I still refuse to spend over $100 for a bottle of anything. Regardless of its hype or age statement. If others did the same, we wouldn't be seeing these shenanigans going on.

[@SaltyCuban]

A year and a half ago I paid $155. Now in the same exact store it’s $350! Prices here in the states are officially out of control. Including Bourbon. Anyhow I now have a chance to buy it online for $170 with the shipping included . However there’s a Tamdhu 18 for $185 with shipping included as well. What should I get ?

[@KakoGuzmanMusic]

I have both of these bottles, and they are different. Tamdhu 18 is classic sherry, whereas Bunn 18 has those salinity and earthiness elements. Both are equally enjoyable, but although I'm a super Bunna fan, I like the Tamdhu 18 a tad better. $185 is a great price! I see it at around 180 pounds in the UK (Jan '24), and it seems they recently raised the price.

[@MarkHanson-du3qs]

you got that right, back in 18 or so I bought a tomatin 18 for $48 usd otd.

[@SaltyCuban]

@@MarkHanson-du3qs I remember the Glenfarclas 25 on Sale at Total Wine and More for $130! And also the Glendronach 21 for that same price. Let’s not even mention the Macallan edition #1. Passed that one up for $100. 😅 it’s in the thousands now.

[@SaltyCuban]

@@KakoGuzmanMusic would you say that the Tamdhu 18 is the best sherried scotch at the moment for under 200 Pounds?

[@KakoGuzmanMusic]

I'd say so, along with Glendronach 18@@SaltyCuban

[@IRamOne_w]

GW, your left biceps, so holding bottle with left hand :)

[@Gwhisky]

😂

[@BadgerJeff]

Dear G'off. I "liked" your cute little video despite the lackluster analogies, jokes, and review consistency. I certainly do not appreciate a reviewer who has complete self awareness and willingness to re-review a whiskey and share his/her explanation of current rating opinion based on where they are in their whisky journey. I mean how can I possibly trust this person's tasting notes when they clearly are willing to re-review a dram based on increased experience in tasting additional whiskies?! Please do better...😎

[@ADSCP]

The same happened with Ralfy’s last Bunna18 review. He gave it a really low score.

[@carlmartinlinder]

International prices considered, Bunna 18 or Speyburn 18?😮….

[@Gwhisky]

Speyburn is of course the value winner, but if taste is your main consideration, I'm still going for Bunna. 🥃

[@welshtoro3256]

I've always felt that the Bunna 12 wasn't too far behind the 18. The 18 is a good whisky but the price has been creeping up and I can buy three bottles of the 12 for the same price.

[@Gwhisky]

I much prefer the 18, myself, but I couldn't justify buying it if I were in the vast majority of other markets where this is selling for double (often triple) what it sells for here. Cheers WT. 🥃

[@thefamily7638]

How much would you pay for a black art? I think they are a tad overrated

[@mormorgranat]

Thanks! Really interested in trying it and have been for a long time (bunna 12 is in my top 2). Do you prefer the 18 over the 12 cs? Havent tried that yet either

[@Gwhisky]

I prefer the 18, but I don't think I'd pay 3x the price of the 12 CS (which is what's being asked in some markets). I'd start with the 12 CS. If you're a fan of the regular 12, you're sure to enjoy it. I recommend 2022! 🥃

[@mormorgranat]

Cheers! Yeah the price is the problem. Ill keep my eyes open for it though@@Gwhisky

[@edelrosario5105]

Crestfallen. Conundrum. Calmthef*ckdown. Geoff's language is getting fancier like his new glass.

[@McIntyresMalts]

First comment!

[@Gwhisky]

Yessir! 🥃

[@McIntyresMalts]

@@Gwhisky I have an unopened bottle of this on the shelf, hoping it's a good batch as you say!

[@DileepB]

Good review, but definitely not worth paying $380 at Totalwine in California.

[@michaellambright7968]

You can import one from the UK for $175 or less.

[@DileepB]

@@michaellambright7968 plus shipping! No thanks.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Had one before. Wanted to like it....but was a disappointed.

[@Rafael-jj1ye]

Noticed the hallmarks under your whiskey glass. Is the base silver? Would you mind sharing the company that makes the ?

[@Gwhisky]

The base is pewter, I believe. The glass is from Cosi Tabellini, and the model is simply called "Bourbon Glass." Cheers! 🥃

[@oneclicktogo]

Could you name the Bottle Code? I have a Bottle from 2022 and it is clearly behind a earlier bottling from 2019 which was absolutely top.

[@Gwhisky]

Sorry, I don't have the code, the bottle was finished last week. But yeah, I think broadly speaking 2021 and 2022 were pretty inconsistent years for this release. 🥃

[@oneclicktogo]

@@Gwhisky I just bought one new bottle with bottle code from 2023. I hope that will be as good as the one from 2019. Greetings from Austria!

[@utoobia]

2021 seems to be the big year for off batches of the 18.

[@dancameron7319]

Unfortunately, bunna 18 is not going to be bought for under $300 in most of the usa😢

[@Gwhisky]

It's cheaper for you guys to have it shipped from the UK in most cases. 🥃

[@hamo4558]

Around AUD$250-

[@Gwhisky]

Ouch! 😬

[@Modly1991]

HMTF, 120$ for bunna 18 ??? In Norway you can only by a shit for that money.

[@malcolmr3726]

Sadly out of my price range despite living in the country of its birth

[@Gwhisky]

Sorry to hear that.

[@vktay3198]

I felt a bit cheated that there is no drinking for a 91 pointer. Kinda miss the puff followed by the palm draw. Whisky orgasm?

[@Gwhisky]

That content is reserved for my OnlyFans account... 🥃

[@whiskywhereabouts]

If I found this here in the US for $200, I'd buy 3 bottles, regardless of batch variation. Prices are that bad.

[@Gwhisky]

Ouch! I feel like most Americans should just be ordering this stuff in from the UK. 🥃

[@xxacidmv]

.

[@eviltrain24]

I’ll just say that in my market, I look forward to other people telling me how good it is. I’ll just, I’ll sob into my $103 46 year old 1975 Bas-Armagnac. Boo-hoo. Boo hoo hoo. sniffle.

[@Johnny__Silver]

I agree with the fact that the jokes are shit and I’m only 38 seconds into the video…

[@Gwhisky]

Absolutely. Dunno why this guy thinks he's a comedian...

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Excellent review Geoff. Thanks but a little too pricey for me here in Italy. Ciao 👋 S.