So, last year Whiskybase released this Bruichladdich and since it is a Bruichladdich from a bourbon cask I wanted it. Of course, I should have gotten two, but on the other hand I keep wanting to try new stuff, not in the last place because of wanting to have new material to write about.

Anyway, 220k bottles in the base, give or take a couple duplicates. That’s quite something in the time they’ve been at it. I’m gladly contributing here and there when I find something that’s not on there yet, but of course that’s very, very marginal.

Let’s just dive in. I guess by now Bruichladdich doesn’t need too much explanation, apart from remarking again that it’s one of my favorite distilleries if they use proper casks.

Sniff:
A very typical Bruichladdich of the modern variety. Quite barley driven, but rather heavy on the nose. Hay, marram grass, some lemon cream too.

Sip:
The palate packs a bit of a punch, which isn’t too surprising with this clocking in at over 60%. It’s dry with hazelnuts, hay, some oak and barley. There’s some unripe lemons, grass and some coastal notes too.

Swallow:
The finish still has quite some white pepper heat and dry oak shavings. Hazelnuts and straw. Some slightly more green notes too, apple and ferns. Hay, straw, grass. Something coastal too.

Even modern Bruichladdich has something very old fashioned about it. Unless they tinker too much with weird casks (although there have been some epic ones in that category as well, as last weekend’s Dramfool bottling proved). This one fits my palate very well and I think this is a great cask pick. I love the slight funkiness and the coastal notes, and the fact that the ABV is out there but not overly so.

88/100

Unfortunately, only available in the secondary market starting at some € 160 at the time of writing.