We're looking at a couple of releases from Cadenheads.
Cadenhead Bunnahabhain 15yo Authentic Collection April 2026
Region: Islay
ABV: 56.4%
Price: £75.00
Distilled in 2010 and bottled in April 2026 after 15 years of maturation, this Bunnahabhain was finished in a Jamaican rum barrel from 2019 and released for Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection. Outturn of 228 bottles.
Nose
The nose opens with raspberry coulis, strawberry jam, fresh wood, and chopped bananas. There is minimal alcohol spice for the ABV. Returning to it, we also find passion fruit, black treacle, and brown sugar.
Palate
The palate has a nice, weighty mouthfeel. There is a good level of sweetness, with notes of flat lemonade, foam bananas, simple syrup, and lime bonbons, before some pepper spice builds on a medium length finish. It is pleasant, but fairly one dimensional.
Nose (with water)
The addition of water brings out more pepper spice, along with strawberry foam sweets, marshmallows, and a hint of blueberry. There is also a slight musty cupboard note in the background.
Palate (with water)
That sweetness from the nose has not carried through to the palate, though we are now getting hints of pomegranate and tangerines. There is also a slight coffee bean bitterness. The mouthfeel has held up and the finish remains medium in length. Although, it is still fairly one dimensional.
Conclusion
We are not the biggest fans of rum cask whisky, and this is not the dram to change our minds. It is an okay dram, but not one we will think about again after writing this review.
Score: 6/10
Value
While not our favourite whisky, we cannot complain about the price.
Cadenhead Dalmunach 6yo Authentic Collection October 2024
Region: Speyside
ABV: 63.3%
Price: £55.00
Distilled in 2018 and bottled in October 2024, this single cask Dalmunach was re racked into a refill Pedro Ximénez hogshead in 2023 before bottling for Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection. Outturn of 252 bottles.
Nose
The nose is initially a little tight and far more herbaceous than we were expecting. We find peanuts, yeast, fresh roses, crushed digestive biscuits, and lemon peel. The alcohol is surprisingly well integrated for the ABV. Going back, there are notes of green pesto, basil, and toasted cashew nuts.
Palate
The mouthfeel is a little thin for the ABV, with a medium-length finish which has a slightly mouth drying quality. We’re not getting a huge amount of sherry from this. There are notes of honey, orange peel, and a synthetic sweetness like saccharin. The palate is not what we were expecting based on the nose. Going back and roasted coffee and salt water also appear. Overall, it comes across as a little simple.
Nose (with water)
A few drops of water bring out strawberry jam and highlight the nuttiness, while dialling back the herbaceous notes. With patience those peanuts become dry roasted and marzipan appears along with coconut.
Palate (with water)
The palate now has a Bounty like character. The spice on the finish has reduced. The mouthfeel is slightly diminished, though not drastically. The finish remains medium in length, and it is now more citrus forward.
Conclusion
We would suggest adding water. While it does impact the mouthfeel, it brings out the best balance of aromas and flavours. This is not necessarily our vibe, and we are personally at a 6, though we suspect others may score it slightly higher.
Score: 6/10
Value
As usual, we cannot really fault Cadenhead on their pricing.
- 10 - Perfection. One in a million
- 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
- 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
- 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
- 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
- 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
- 4 - Below average. Passable.
- 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
- 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
- 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.
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