Side by side : peated whisky from Bunnahabhain

Islay - home of peated whisky? We know that all of the distilleries on Islay produce peated whisky* - well all except one @Bunnahabhain! Well it turns out that they actually do!

Two entry level peated releases are Mòine and Toiteach A Dhà - let's see what they are like!

*Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila and Laphroaig also distil unpeated whisky!

A lot of peated Bunna whisky is sold to Indies and bottled as Staoisha, Mòine is the name Bunna use for their own releases. There have been many different ones available through the years - usually single casks or small batches - this particular bottling is meant for the Scandinavian Market and can't be found on the Bunna website. But thanks to @whiskytoon1 we can now buy it in the UK!

I've written about Bunnahabhain distillery before here so I won't tell you about it again except to say that it is one of best warehouse tours I've ever been on!

Let's try the two drams:

Dram	Mòine	Toiteach A Dhà
Characteristics	46.3% ABV NCF, Natural colour FF & RF Sherry, Bourbon & Red Wine Casks	46.3% ABV NCF, Natural colour FF & RF Sherry & Bourbon Casks
Distillery notes	Mòine Pronounced (moi-gna) reflects our 19th century origins when Bunnahabhain malts were strongly peated. Our Distillery Manager replicated the warm, smoky essence of these ancient liquids by distilling a single malt from peated malted barley. Bunnahabhain Mòine is then left to mature in specially selected casks in our bonded warehouses overlooking the sea. Nature plays a crucial role in the process so we don’t interfere by chill filtering Mòine – which allows its natural colour to shine and flavour to be savoured to the full. This Bunnahabhain malt is different from the distillery's usual softer, unpeated whiskies. Peated malted barley and a later spirit run combine to give this Bunnahabhain Moine its unique smoky character. Nose: Sweet grass, dry smoke, sea air, nuts and nougat. Palate: Smooth smoky sweetness, malt, creamy ginger and pepper. Finish: Lingering hints of gentle smoke, and crisp spice.	Meaning 'Smoky Two' in Scots Gaelic, Toiteach A Dhà (pronounced Toch-ach ah-ghaa) is a sequel to the original peaty paradox on Bunnahabhain’s gentle single malt.  To create this Mòine variant, our blending team selected a combination of ex Bourbon and Sherry casks which were then matured in full, in our coastal warehouses on Bunnahabhain Bay. With touches of smoke from our peated malted barley, this whisky’s prickling strength emanates from the dram, while warming with a lingering, robust length and delicately sweet sherry influence. Nose: Intriguing peatiness with hints of sherry and rich oak. Palate: Immediate warming peatiness drift to a sweet Oloroso sherry influence with rich oak, balanced with delicate pepper. Finish: Robust length for the discerning palate.
My thoughts:
Appearance
	Pale gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thick bumpy line, bead up quickly and fall as slow thick legs.	Very pale gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, bead up and fall as slow thin legs.
Nose	Medicinal peat smoke, leather jackets, salinity. There's some damp grass, liquorice, walnuts and almonds. There's some distant hints of dried fruit and berries.	A more gentle peat smoke, no medicinal notes here. The salinity and damp grass notes are here along with a stronger walnut note.
Palate	Smooth creamy arrival, lots of smoke and salinity to start before it turns sweet with honey and spicy with ginger. A few more oily sips reveal tropical fruit notes, berries and liquorice. There's a little citrus, peppery spice and a huge dry smoke note again as the liquid disappears.	A smooth oily arrival, sweet honey, tropical fruit, oranges and a little dried fruit. Then the smoke kicks in, it's dry and ashy. A few more sips offer vanilla, oak and a little dry seaweed. The nut notes from the nose are here too! There's citrus, a little caramel and more dry ashy smoke as the liquid disappears.
Finish	Lingering dry salinity, smoke and a little citrus peel.	Medium length sweet honey, gentle salinity spice and smoke.
Overall	The Mòine is up there with other Islay entry level peated drams, Ardbeg Ten, Laphroaig 10yo or Lagavulin 16yo even, maybe not as medicinal but perfectly drinkable for peat lovers. The sherry and wine casks in the marriage add a little complexity. I've always liked the Toiteach A Dhà and it's predecessor Toiteach: gentle peat smoke building on the tropical fruit and nut notes of the core 12yo; but now against the Mòine it's a little tame and reserved - an introduction of Bunna smoke before you more on to the Mòine maybe?