Bruichladdich Distillery is located on the Island of Islay. Pronounced “bruk-la-dee” meaning “Shore Bank” in Gaelic The distillery was built on Islay in 1881 by the Harvey Brothers. Now making both peated and unpeated Scotch whisky, and seen as one of the best distilleries in Scotland, we had a great tasting with their US Brand Ambassadors and got to learn and taste this delicious whisky.
I love their philosophy: A Victorian Distillery re-imagined for the future.
Website: Bruichladdich
Whiskey Notes from the tasting group:
| Whiskey | Nose, Palate & Finish Comments |
|---|---|
| The Classic Laddie Distiller: Bruichladdich Mash bill: 100% Scottish-grown barley Cask: ex-Bourbon (1st & 2nd fill), ex-Wine (Sauternes, Pauillac, Sherry, Madeira, Rivesaltes) Age: 6 Years ABV/Proof: 50% / 100 | Sea breezy, minerally, and honeyed green apple.; Having a tough time making out the nose on the Islay Barley but the pepper finish is very nice.; |
| The Islay Barley 2011 Distiller: Bruichladdich Mash bill: 100% Islay grown barley Cask: 75% Ex-Bourbon American Oak and 25% Ex-wine European Oak Age: 6 Islay Years ABV/Proof: 50% / 100 | I find this grassier; I get a lot of spiciness, definitely has a much sweeter profile; I find it perfume-y. |
| The Bere Barley 2020 Distiller: Bruichladdich Mash bill: 100% Bere barley Cask: Ex-Bourbon American Oak Age: Minimum 8 Years ABV/Proof: 50% / 100 | Lots of chocolate and some mint. really interesting.; Barley note lingers heavy on the finish; The bere feels like i sprayed perfume in my mouth; I get more cereal-notes in the bere. Not in a bad way. Kind of like oatmeal with a ton of fruit; The Bere barley is delicious, I definitely taste peach, honey and chocolate; I get this jasmine tea thing too it’s really nice; Iquite enjoy the bere. finish reminds me a bit of the mouthfeel after drinking oolong tea for some reason; |
| Valinch & Mallet 15 Years Distiller: Bruichladdich Mash bill: unsure, but guessing 100% Scottish-grown barley Cask: Matured in Madeira Cask Age: 15 Yeras ABV/Proof: 54.1% / 108.2 | Nose almost has an overripe almost rotting dark fruit smell; Buttered popcorn; Not loving the nose, but getting tobacco on the palate; |
| Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Distiller: Bruichladdich Mash bill: 100% Scottish Barley from Invernesshure Region Cask: 65% 1st Fill American Whiskey, 10% 2nd Fill American Whiskey & 25% French Wine Age: 10 Years ABV/Proof: 50% / 100 | Port Charlotte is so good, I think it’s my favorite standard islay; PC is great whisky. Peat all day everyday for me.; It is more delicate; |
