Skip to content

The Rarest Bunnahabhain Whisky?: Old, Rare, & Open

Welcome back to our brand new tasting series: Old, Rare, & Open. This week, Vin from No Nonsense Whisky reviews a 17 year old Bunnahabhain bottled by Signatory Vintage.  Read last weeks tasting notes on the Glenturret 1979 29 Year Old Signatory Vintage here.  This Bunnahabhain 1984 whisky was matured in a refill butt for […]
Beth Squires is Editor-in-Chief of The Whiskey Wash and a whisky writer.
Bunnahabhain-1984-17-Year-Old-Signatory

Welcome back to our brand new tasting series: Old, Rare, & Open. This week, Vin from No Nonsense Whisky reviews a 17 year old Bunnahabhain bottled by Signatory Vintage. 

Read last weeks tasting notes on the Glenturret 1979 29 Year Old Signatory Vintage here

This Bunnahabhain 1984 whisky was matured in a refill butt for 17 years before being bottled by Signatory Vintage in 2001. Only 578 bottles were drawn from cask number 1418, so the opportunity to try this Islay whisky is very scarce. The whisky has also sold only 2 times at auction, once in 2013 and once in 2023 respectively. 

Send Me The 2026 Cask Buying Guide

Our Cask Buying Guide was the first independent guide written for private buyers and remains the most comprehensive available. No sales pitch or inflated promises, just clear, practical guidance on ownership, pricing, risks and what to check before you buy

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The whisky has not been reviewed on WhiskyBase or on WhiskyFun. Bunnahabhain is the only distillery on Islay to produce unpeated malt. The profile is typically rich with dried fruits and vanilla.

“Bunnahabhain 1984 17 YO Signatory Vintage, 50ml, 43% ABV

Sampling the Bunnahabhain 1984, a 17-year-old whisky bottled in 2001 by Signatory Vintage, was a delightful journey. The nose was subtle yet complex, offering a blend of saltiness, oakiness, and a hint of tobacco. It was intriguing to note how the palate brought forward the classic Bunnahabhain funk, complemented by an unexpected charred oak finish. This whisky, while only 17 years old, showcased a depth and character that spoke to the quality of Bunnahabhain’s craftsmanship. It was a testament to the distillery’s ability to produce whiskies with intriguing and layered profiles.

Nose: Subtle, with a bit of saltiness and oakiness, and a hint of tobacco.

Palate: Classic Bunnahabhain character with a bit of funk. The finish has a charred oak quality.

Overall Impression: A good representation of Bunnahabhain, with an interesting character.”

Need advice about buying or selling whisky?

Whether you have a whisky cask, a bottle collection or are considering a purchase, tell us a little about what you need. We provide clear, independent guidance and will explain the options available.

"*" indicates required fields

Your contact number
Tell us what you have, what you are looking for, and any relevant details.
Untitled*

Beth Squires

Beth Squires joined Mark Littler Ltd in 2020 and has developed extensive knowledge of the whisky industry through research, reporting and the creation of specialist educational content. As Editor-in-Chief of The Whiskey Wash, Beth oversees coverage spanning whisky history, production, innovation, new releases and the secondary bottle market. She is particularly passionate about making complex areas of the industry accessible to whisky drinkers, collectors and buyers. Beth holds a degree in English Literature and was selected as a mentee for the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme in 2025.