Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Bruichladdich (Rèmy Cointreau)
Average price: € 50.00
Official website: www.bruichladdich.com
Vote: 84/100
Created in 2009 by the legendary Jim McEwan (with a slightly different name, the Laddie Classic, 46%ABV and without the Scottish Barley indication), this version of Bruichladdich’s (unpeated) whisky is based, according to their own words, on a recipe that changes slightly from year to year, keeping fixed, since 2013, only the ABV and the use of Scottish barley.
The age of the whiskies used varies between six and twelve years, and while the main maturation is in Bourbon, it’s not excluded that different casks are added to the mix depending on the inspiration of the head distiller.
Despite the slight differences between one version and another, the intention is to represent the impressions behind their distillate, a sort of business card for those approaching their production for the first time.
Tasting notes
On the nose, wood spices (nutmeg and cinnamon) emerge over a herbaceous profile with floral touches (rose and lavender). Massive presence of cereals accompanied by almonds and walnuts, pineapple, green apple, honey, vanilla, a touch of ginger, lemon peel, bread dough. Background of saltiness. Fresh and youthful.
Creamy on the palate, with livelier spices (dash of pepper) on yellow fruit (apple, pear, pineapple, peach), honey, vanilla, shortbread, malt biscuits, wild strawberry. The whiff of saltiness remains, more pronounced, with a distant impression of smoke.
The finish is quite long and herbaceous, with nuts, malt, apple, a hint of saltiness and a vague toasted impression.
With all the experimental and interesting expressions Bruichladdich has made over the years, this one is in danger of taking a back seat, but it remains a solid, full-bodied dram that expresses many of the distillery’s traits simply and directly.