Bruichladdich 2011 Islay Barley Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Volume: 700ml ABV: 50% Age: No Age Statement Country: Scotland
Built in 1881 when puffer-supplied coal was available as an alternative fuel to local peat, it is likely that Bruichladdich was specifically designed to produce the purest unpeated spirit possible. The great Alfred Barnard supports this view with a tantalising clue – the Laddie is the only distillery on Islay that he does not describe as drying its malt using peat in his fascinating exploration of the island’s distilleries in 1885. Sadly, none of that 19th century spirit survives, but the original Victorian machinery has allowed an unparalleled legacy of craft distilling to trickle down through the generations of men who make this sophisticated Islay dram. It was in 1994 that the Bruichladdich distillery closed for a significant period of time. No one knew if this modern distillery would reopen its doors and see spirits start to flow through the stills again. A period in the whisky industry that will not be forgotten for years to come.
This limited release Bruichladdich is created from unpeated barely which was grown 100% on Islay. The barley was raised in 2010 and used in 2011. The whisky itself has been aged for 6 years and matured in 75% ex-Bourbon American oak casks and 25% ex-wine European oak casks. The whisky is bottled unchill-filtered and colour free on the island of islay at 50% abv.
Official Tasting Notes
Nose: Fruit basket; apple and pear, peaches and apricot, a hint of citrus. Malty with a hint of sea spray.
Taste: Malt and heather, dried fruit a hint of tropical mango with salinity.
Finish: Sweet, malty with a marine character.
