Distiller Notes
Fresh cut straw color. From the outset this is overtly floral and fruity. Slow distillation yet again brings out the best from the Islay grown Barley, the abundance of soft fruit notes and delicate floral style of this dram is shared with our past Islay grown releases. Typical Bruichladdich style fruit notes of crisp apple and ripe pear along with peach and dried apricot are further enhanced with lemon drops, grapefruit and orange zest. There is a vast array of flavor rising from this whisky as it opens further. The oak and cereal components come through after the fruit, pipe tobacco and vanilla notes mingle with barley sugar and caramel wafers, as ever a distinct marine tang hangs in the air.
The finish is about the fruit, dried apricot from the oak and lemon, kiwi and caramel wafer. A warm sand, marine note lingers as the Islay maturation tells its part of the story. As this whisky lingers on the palate it puts you in mind of the construction and structure to its form. Each element, distillation, time, cask and barley have a clear influence yet not one dominates another as this whisky reaches a crossroads in its development. This vintage is at the perfect stage to appreciate all that it is as it lays bare its DNA, its philosophy and its quality.
Professional Ratings
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Whisky Advocate
Distilled from Oxbridge and Publican barley varieties grown on six Islay farms. Lime, brine, oatmeal cookies, and custard on the nose. Sweet barley, apricots, sultanas, cloves, and quite tannic oak on the palate. Malt and sea salt in the medium-length finish.
Bruichladdich is a small, entrepreneurial distillery located on the remote Scottish island of Islay. Dedicated to the preservation of hand-distillation methods, Bruichladdich takes an approach of nonstop exploration of barley, peat and cask in its creation of diverse and innovative Single Malt whiskies.
Islay is a world-famous whisky destination, home to eight single malt distilleries renowned for Peated Single Malts. Located at the southernmost end of west scotland's hebridean archipelago, Islay enjoys a windswept, oceanic climate and a largely agricultural community, making it perfect for creating single malt whiskies. Built in 1881 by the three Harvey Brothers, Bruichladdich Distillery was the first purpose-built distillery on the island – the most progressive of its time.
Revived from closure in 2001 by two wine merchants, Bruichladdich Distillery has since been committed to the ideas of transparency and 'terroir' in Scotch; concentrating on the provenance of whisky's raw ingredients and the distillery's connection to the land. Sourcing all of its barley directly from Scottish farmers [rather than on the global commodities market], and warehousing and bottling all of its spirit onsite — Bruichladdich has cemented its reputation as a maverick young producer among Islay Distilleries.
Continuing to make whisky the old fashioned way today, Bruichladdich is the largest private employer on the island and provides nearly 100 full time jobs, putting the distillery at the heart of the regeneration of Islay’s small community.
100% conceived, distilled, matured & bottled only on Islay.
“A good gulp of hot Scotch Whisky at bedtime–it’s not very scientific, but it helps!”
Alexander Fleming, Scottish inventor of penicillin, prescribed it as a cure for the common cold. Today Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are prized by enthusiasts and aficionados the world over for their rarity, age and complexity. By definition these must be produced in Scotland from a single distillery and made entirely from malted barley, using a pot still. The appearance, aroma and flavor of a Single Malt Scotch Whisky can vary widely depending on whether it was produced in the Highlands, Lowlands Islands, Speyside, Islay or Campbelltown regions.