Bruichladdich 17 Yr Old Single Malt Review

Dram 5 of the Belfast Whiskey Week Irish v Scottish 12 Years and over box takes us to Islay and a distillery that has finally found a bit more traction on here recently....Bruichladdich.

Bruichladdich definitely seem to be on a bit of an upturn right now with their releases being a bit more consistent than some of the more 'out there' wine heavy releases that followed their renaissance under Jim McEwan. 

Bruichladdich whiskies are unpeated and as such are an unusual beast in terms of Islay whisky production which of course is known for some heavy hitting peat monster whiskies.

The distillery does make peated spirit and release peaty whiskies but under different names. Port Charlotte, a distillery that closed in 1929, lends its name to their first peated whisky label and these releases are peated to around 40/45ppm.

The Octomore arrived in 2008 and is their crazily peated whisky with levels well over 100 ppm.

Bruichladdich 17 Yr Old Single Malt 46% abv

BWW Irish v Scottish 12 year plus

Aged 15 yrs in American oak ex bourbon, 2 year finish in french oak ex rum barrels (Uitulugt & Enmore, Guyana)

Nose: Light, fresh and sweet. Tropical notes of mango, papaya and pineapple as well as white grapes. Marzipan, vanilla and caramel covered bananas. Barley & hazelnuts. A lactic note mixed in as well. Possibly just a hint of smoke plus a smattering of sea air.

Palate: Sweet, sharp and a little hot. Rum, vanilla, caramel and barley. Those white grapes again as well as lemon slices, citrus zest and sea spray. A little wasabi like heat mid palate before hitting you with haribo sourz, almonds, anise, nutmeg and drying oak.

Finish: Medium length with cane sugar sweetness, distinct pepperiness and sour citrus zest.

Score: 6 out of 10

Overall: Interesting and enjoyable but a little too hot and spicy to get a 7.

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