Along Tampa’s Dale Mabry Highway, near the airport, is one of the best-stocked liquor stores in the entire Northeast. It’s Tampa’s version of Total Wine & More, and there’s always a new find – whether a craft beer, bottle of wine, or single malt Scotch. This review is about the latter.

If you can get past attempting to read the name of this Scotch, Bunnahabhain, the rest is smooth sailing. Actually, it’s pronounced bOONaHAVen. 

What intrigued me was the place of its origin, the island of Islay, famous for such Scotch masterpieces as Laphroaig and Ardbeg.

At 96.3 proof, this variety packs a punch, though for those who don’t like peat in their whiskey, its flavor, though strong, is conventional, even one-dimensional – and virtually peatless.

Just under $50 a bottle, it makes a fine addition to your collection for those special sipping occasions, like Christmas, and is a perfect libation to share with your guests, particularly those new to single malts who might not be too daring.