Sipping a scotch lineup from Islay's Bruichladdich distillery that features introductions to the Classic, Barley, Port Charlotte, and Octomore expressions. It's a fine example of what a distillery from Islay has to offer!
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Islay's scotch distilleries
Islay is a small island off the south-west coast of Scotland, only 25 miles across, yet it boasts eight whisky distilleries.
Of those eight, I’ve tried and reviewed six: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, and Laphroaig (which is where I started my tasting journey). That leaves the Lagavulin distillery(which I’ve tried but haven’t formally reviewed), and Bruichladdich distillery.
And that’s about to change.
Bruichladdich basics
The Bruichladdich distillery boasts its namesake range, as well as the Port Charlotte and Octomore lineups, and all three have their distinctive characteristics.
The first thing that stands out about the Bruichladdich distillery is that it prides itself on having its whole whisky cycle operating on Islay. Growing the barley, mashing and distilling, aging and bottling...it's all done there.
Other distilleries do the same (Kilchoman comes to mind), but the way that Bruichladdich emphasizes the terroir of its whisky hammers home the importance being on Islay means to them. It gives their expressions a unique flavor profile.
Bruichladdich also distinguishes its lines between its peated and unpeated products:
- Bruichladdich lineup zeros in on the barley used in its mashbill
- Port Charlotte goes for a “heavily peated” designation
- Octomore is just a peat monster
Taken together, these samples of each lineup that I tried below are just an introduction into their wider array of offerings.
My Tasting Notes
Bruichladdich Distillery Scotch Whisky
At Gordon’s DTX, December 19, 2018
Bruichladdich Classic Scottish Barley
50% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Islay, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Barley, light ocean breezes, moss
- Taste: Soft entry, cereal, oatmeal, light brown sugar,
- Finish: Fades to baking spices and light brown sugar
Comments
Very clean and pure, with lots of grains and an easy sweetness.
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2010
50% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Islay, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Sharp, butterscotch, straw, lightly sea breezes
- Taste: Easy entry, rises to moss with butterscotch
- Finish: Fades to an ocean breeze and light brown sugar
Comments
Very approachable and flavorful. I like the layers between the sweet and salty.
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10yr
50%ABV, Peated to 40ppm, Finished in first & second fill bourbon, then red wine casks
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Peated, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky, Wine Cask Finish
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Ocean bonfire smoke, cereal, vanilla
- Taste: Smoke first, then vanilla, oatmeal, light cooked fruit
- Finish: The cooked fruit and smoke lingers
Comments
The smoke doesn’t overpower the other flavors of grains and cooked fruit, very well balanced.
Bruichladdich Octomore Masterclass_08.1
59.1%ABV, Peated to 167ppm
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Cask Strength, Islay, Peated, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Starts mossy, minty, strong alcohol
- Taste: Rising smoke, ocean air, vanilla fudge in the background
- Finish: Light ashiness lasts
Comments
The smoke overwhelms, but other flavors emerge after a sip or two
Final thoughts
I tried this Bruichladdich lineup alongside the range of Westland American Whiskey that I've previously reviewed. Those bottles look good in the picture though!
While these expressions were my first taste from the Bruichladdich distillery, I later attended a tasting that delved deeper into each range. That was an enlightening experience.
I enjoyed this taste of Islay's terroir. Bruichladdich is definitely a fine example of what Islay has to offer!
I hope you like this review! If you've tried any of the expressions and have your own tasting notes, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!
- Tammy
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