Bunnahabhain 2009 15 Year Old Cabernet Franc Cask | Cadenhead's

A 15 Year Old Bunnahabhain with Cabernet Franc Cask Maturation

Distilled at Bunnahabhain in 2009 and bottled by Cadenhead's in March 2025, this 15 year old Islay single malt offers an unusual wine-cask interpretation of the distillery. Initially matured in oak before being transferred in 2018 to a Cabernet Franc hogshead previously used for Longrow Red, it was released at natural cask strength of 56.2% ABV. With an outturn of only 264 bottles, this is a distinctive independently bottled Bunnahabhain shaped by an uncommon secondary maturation.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Red berries and dark fruit layered with malt sweetness, gentle coastal character, oak spice and vinous depth.
• Palate: Rich and full-bodied, combining ripe berry fruit, caramelised malt and warming spice with a dry wine-cask influence.
• Finish: Long and warming, with lingering dark fruit, spice, oak and a gently dry vinous character.

Specifications

• Classification: Scotch Whisky
• Style: Single Malt
• Region: Islay, Scotland
• Distillery: Bunnahabhain
• Bottler: Cadenhead's
• Series: Authentic Collection
• Distilled: 2009
• Bottled: March 2025
• Age: 15 Years
• ABV: 56.2%
• Bottling: Single Cask
• Strength: Natural Cask Strength
• Cask: Oak Cask & Cabernet Franc Hogshead
• Cabernet Franc Cask Transfer: 2018
• Outturn: 264 Bottles
• Volume: 700ml
• Presentation: Bottle Only

About the Bottling

This Cadenhead's release follows an unusual maturation path, beginning in oak before being transferred in 2018 to a Cabernet Franc hogshead previously used for Longrow Red. Bottled in March 2025 at natural cask strength of 56.2% ABV, the single cask yielded only 264 bottles. The combination of Bunnahabhain spirit, extended secondary wine-cask maturation and the previous Longrow Red use gives the release particularly distinctive provenance.

About the Distillery

Founded on Islay in 1881, Bunnahabhain occupies a distinctive position among the island's distilleries, with much of its spirit traditionally displaying a gentler peat influence than the intensely smoky style commonly associated with Islay. Independent single-cask releases such as this offer a particularly interesting view of its adaptable spirit, especially when paired with unconventional maturation.

Archive Notes

Please review all product images carefully. Minor cosmetic wear to labels, capsules, cartons, or presentation cases may be present due to age, long-term storage, or secondary-market sourcing.

Natural variation in fill level, packaging condition, and label ageing can occur in older releases and forms part of the character of mature collectible whisky.

Archive Release

Privately sourced and released in strictly limited quantities. Availability is finite and unlikely to be repeated once sold.

Not every bottle is meant to be found.