When it comes to Bunnahabhain's cask strength releases, every drop is a statement - bold, complex, and utterly unrepeatable. But which ones linger in the mind of the woman behind the whisky?
We sat down with our Master Blender, Julieann Fernandez, to reflect on five unforgettable recent Bunnahabhain cask strength bottlings that left a lasting impression. Each one tells a different story shaped by cask, time and the Islay coast.
Here are Julieann's top five picks.
-1x1.jpg?v=1755081912238&transform=resize=600){kind=spacer}
Fèis Ìle 2025: Turas Math No.2 - Palo Cortado Cask Finish
One of this year's Fèis Ìle releases, Turas Math No.2 is a vivid continuation of our Westering Home story. Matured in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks, it's a bold, elegant dram that bridges coastal clarity with deep, nutty richness.
Tasting Notes:
Marzipan and orange oil on the nose, leading to roasted almonds, warm spice, and a silky finish dusted with sea salt and sultana.
Cask Strength ABV:
58.4%
"Turas Math No.2 is all about texture - it's luxurious but not heavy. Palo Cortado is an incredibly expressive sherry style, and here it lifts the spirit beautifully without overpowering it. There's balance, soul, and a little sense of adventure. That's why it makes the cut."
Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender
Fèis Ìle 2024: 27 Year Old - Moscatel Cask Finish
A showstopper from last year's festival, the 27 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish spent its final years in Moscatel casks - imbuing the spirit with waves of stone fruit, wild honey, and warming coastal spice.
Tasting Notes:
Ripe peach and golden raisins up front, followed by layers of fig, cedarwood, and a finish that whispers of toasted oak and brine.
Cask Strength ABV:
46.6%
"This was a whisky I kept going back to. The Moscatel brought something so delicate and expressive - almost ethereal - that I hadn't quite expected. For a whisky of this age, it still felt fresh. That contrast stayed with me."
Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender
-1x1.jpg?v=1755083683110&transform=resize=600){kind=spacer}
21 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
A refined powerhouse. This unpeated 21 Year Old is drawn from 21 sherry-rich Pedro Ximénez casks where the single malt spent 21 long months finishing. Bottled without dilution or chill-filtration this limited edition offered an uncompromising take on our costal DNA.
Tasting Notes:
Toffee apple and dates meet leather, clove and waves of cocoa. There's structure here, but also grace - like an orchestra at full crescendo.
Cask Strength ABV:
53.6%
"This felt like Bunnahabhain at full voice. I remember nosing it and thinking; this is exactly what we aim for. Complexity, intensity, and that unmistakable sherry influence. But its never loud. It's composed - that's why I love it."
Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender
Fèis Ìle 2024: 23 Year Old Triple Sherry Wood Finish
Crafted for Fèis Ìle 2024, our 23 Year Old Triple Sherry Wood Finish is a rare cask strength release that unites three of Bunnahabhain's finest sherry cask styles - Amontillado, Manzanilla and Oloroso - in one harmonious dram.
Tasting Notes:
Opens with the sweetness of fresh vanilla pods and rich butterscotch, followed by the delicate creaminess of ripe strawberries. Layers of honeyed cashews emerge, balanced by warming wood spice and a gentle wisp of tobacco on the finish.
Cask Strength ABV:
53.3%
"A whisky matured for over two decades in three different sherries is a rare thing, and each cask - Amontillado, Manzanilla and Oloroso - brings its own voice. Together, they create a harmony of richness, elegance, and subtle coastal character that's uniquely Bunnahabhain."
Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender
Fèis Ìle 2023: Canasta Cask Matured
Released to mark Fèis Ìle 2023, our Canasta Cask Matured single malt is a cask strength limited edition that showcases the depth and indulgence of full-term maturation in exceptional Canasta sherry casks. This rare style of sherry - a harmonious marriage of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez - imparts luxurious sweetness and velvety richness to Bunnahabhain's unpeated spirit, creating a festival bottling layered with complexity and charm.
Tasting Notes:
Rich maple syrup takes the lead, entwined with creamy vanilla and the luscious sweetness of dried figs. Poached pears follow, dusted with a light sprinkle of cocoas, while a subtle twist of orange lingers in the background.
Cask Strength ABV:
51.2%
"Canasta casks are a treasure - sweet Oloroso richness intertwined with the deep, nutty notes of sweetened sherry. When they meet Bunnahabhain's gentle, coastal spirit, the result is a whisky that feels like it's telling you a story you've never heard before. It's a rare canvas for a blender, and one I absolutely relish working with."
Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender
In Her Own Words
"Cask Strength whiskies speak directly to the distillery's heart. You're tasting it the way we do in Warehouse 9 - no dilution, no filters, just the spirit and the cask, in full conversation. These five drams stood out not just for their flavour, but for the way they made me feel and the memories they now evoke. That's what whisky should do."
- Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender
Pour, Reflect and Explore
Each of these releases is a window into Bunnahabhain's soul - rare, expressive and fleeting. Whether you're revisiting a favourite dram or discovering one for the first time, savour it slowly.
Cask Strength FAQs
1. What does 'cask strength' mean?
Cask strength whisky is bottled directly from the cask without dilution, meaning you experience the spirit exactly as it was matured. Full bodied, complex, and at its natural strength.
2. Are these cask strength whiskies still available to buy?
Many of our cask strength releases are limited editions and sell out quickly. Availability varies, so check our stock online.
3. How should I enjoy cask strength whisky?
Cask strength whiskies can be enjoyed neat to fully appreciate their intensity, or with a few drops of water top open up new layers of aroma and flavour. Read our 'How to Drink Cask Strength Whisky' blog to discover more.
4. What makes these releases so special?
Each bottling is shaped by unique casks, the passage of time, and our coastal maturation environment - creating a whisky that can never be exactly replicated.
5. How often does Bunnahabhain release cask strength whiskies?
We release them at selected times throughout the year, often for Fèis Ìle or special limited editions chosen by our Master Blender. Each one is rare and fleeting. Join our Bunnahabhain community to get first access to all our upcoming releases and updates on latest news.
