Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-bourbon and ex-Wine
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Bruichladdich (Rèmy Cointreau)
Average price: € 170.00
Official website: www.bruichladdich.com
Just before the war in Iraq at the beginning of the century, the United States spied on the Bruichladdich distillery for a time, believing that the new stills were capable of producing chemical weapons of mass destruction. Of course, the investigation yielded nothing, but it was a lucrative marketing opportunity that led to the creation of a bottling known as WMD (Whisky of Mass Distinction), an 18-year-old released in 2003.
Just a couple of years later, another rather bizarre event occurred on Islay. In May 2005, a man named John Baker came across a small marine vessel while working a few miles off the Islay coast. Measuring just over 3 meters, weighing about 850 kilograms, and completely yellow, the submarine was initially disavowed by the Royal Navy despite the clear symbols on its hull, and it was only a few months later that the British Ministry of Defence acknowledged its ownership, stating that it was used offshore as a minesweeper.
Once again, Bruichladdich did not waste any time, creating the second bottling of the WMD series (The Yellow Submarine, 14-years-old) in the same year, followed by a third edition in 2018 (The Legend Resurfaces, 25-years-old) when a copy of the submarine was displayed at the distillery, culminating in June 2026, during the Fèis Ìle and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the distillery, with this fourth iteration (Reclassified).
Distilled from Islay unpeated barley (Appaloosa variety), the aging follows the recipe of the second version: 75% first-fill ex-bourbon casks and 25% first and second-fill French red wine casks.
Tasting Notes
The nose is fresh and direct, blending the fruity aspects of ex-bourbon (pineapple, peach, apple, dried apricot) with the fresh and tangy notes of citrus (grapefruit and lemon) and herbal and floral hints, along with the influence of wine casks that gradually emerges, bringing a background of raspberry jelly. It sweetens over time, with vanilla, panna cotta, and cocoa sponge cake. A slight maritime nuance. Elegant yet inviting.
On the palate, the citrus notes are clearly confirmed, supported by spices (ginger, white pepper), while vegetal and floral notes take center stage, relegating the pastry to the role of a luxurious supporting actor, with lemon tart, still the red fruit gels, almond paste, and cotton candy. Toasted hazelnuts, yellow fruit, and a salty breeze punctuate the flavors. Refreshing and lively.
Quite long finale, between vanilla and red sweets, between cream and candied citrus, between raspberry jam and iodine.
Review: A solid, drinkable, well-balanced dram in the interplay of casks, with a pleasantly summery feel. It may not be exciting, but one cannot always expect excellence.
Vote: 87/100