Perfect Fifth Bunnahabhain 28 Years Single Malt Whiskey

Overview

The Perfect Fifth Bunnahabhain 28 Year is a limited independent bottling of Islay single malt, distilled in 1991 and finished in a first-fill ex-bourbon cask before bottling in 2020 at cask strength. Released by American bottler The Perfect Fifth to showcase rare cask selections highlighting classic distillery profiles, this expression captures Bunnahabhain's subtle seaside character with minimal peat influence.

Specs at a glance

Good to know

Bunnahabhain, from Islay's Sound of Islay, stands apart with its restrained peat and pronounced maritime notes derived from seaside maturation rather than heavy smokiness. The Perfect Fifth, founded in 2019 by Karl Schoen in Miami, specializes in extremely limited releases of a few hundred bottles each, now distributed in Europe via Multee.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Volatile acidity and chemical aromatics dominate, overshadowing subtle hints of seaweed and brine.
• Palate: Harsh blend of sourness, bitterness, and seashore elements; lacks balance as aggressive notes eclipse potential complexity.
• Finish: Lingering bitterness with faint maritime echoes, though unbalanced and short on vitality.

Notable details

• Production: First-fill ex-bourbon cask; non-chill filtered; no color added.
• Lineage: Independent bottling from Bunnahabhain, known for light peat and coastal maturation.
• Availability: Extremely limited at 165 bottles; SRP around $800 per 750ml.

"Despite complexity, this whisky lacks balance and life, resulting in an unpleasant experience." – The Whiskey Wash

Closing

A bold but flawed exploration of Bunnahabhain's maritime subtlety, best for collectors seeking unvarnished cask character.

Sources

[1] Thewhiskeywash – "Whisky Reviews: The Perfect Fifth Aberlour 30 Year, Bunnahabhain 28 Year"

[2] Thewhiskeywash – "Whisky Reviews: The Perfect Fifth Aberlour 30 Year, Bunnahabhain 28 Year"