Three Bruichladdich Islay Barley single casks Laddie MP7 exclusives



Bruichladdich broadcasted its seventh digital whisky tasting last week. The LaddieMP's are a masterclass or an educational video about barley and Islay if you like. This time they invited Hunter Jackson, one of the 76 Ileach farmers growing barley for Bruichladdich.


During the Youtube live broadcast Bruichladdich's head distiller, Adam Hannett guided the viewers through three Bruichladdich Islay Barley single casks that were sold through the webshop a few months ago. All three casks could be traced back to specific Islay farms and disclose about everything that's to know about them: barley type, farm, warehouse (they omitted the warehouse type this time). And earlier this week Harrison Ford revealed his favourite Scotch in Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show... Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2009.

Bruichladdich cask #2431 

    Bruichladdich cask #2431 Ten Islay Farms
  • LaddieMP7 exclusive single cask
  • Distilled 11 July 2011, bottled in 2017
  • 6-year-old single malt Scotch whisky
  • First-fill bourbon cask, Warehouse C1.442
  • Barley type: Concerto, Propino & Publican
  • Ten Islay Farms
  • Alcohol: 61.5% ABV
Colour: Straw yellow liquid and fast legs on the glass. Lots of air bubbles due to the high alcohol volume.

Nose: Classic Bruichladdich floral nose. Grappa and white grapes. Vanilla, cinnamon and white pepper. Werther's Original (A German caramel toffee very popular in Belgium). Fresh and crisp grapefruit and limes. Yellow apples, fresh almonds, prunes. Makes me think of rakija.
With water: apples and prunes. A slightly metallic and medicinal note.

Taste: Again that classic Laddie signature. Honey, gingerbread and grape must (seeds included). Warm and sweet. Apple, walnut and melons. Grappa and grapes again.
With water: Grapevine wood and bitter peach pit.

Finish: Warm speculoospastries sprinkled with cinnamon.

Bruichladdich cask #4019

Bruichladdich cask #4019 Sunderland Farm
  • LaddieMP7 exclusive single cask
  • Distilled 17 December 2008, bottled in 2017
  • 8-year-old single malt Scotch whisky
  • First-fill bourbon cask, Warehouse W14TS
  • Barley type: Oxbridge
  • Sunderland Farm
  • Alcohol: 63.4% ABV
Colour: Again straw yellow. Fast legs and lots of air bubbles. A very beautiful texture. 

Nose: Very different from the first dram. Lots of vegetal and maritime notes. Salty sea air, palm sugar and Thai fish sauce. Floral like buttercups. Coconut biscuits and salted lemon. A tiny whiff of smoke or sulphur. Some gasoline too. Herbal. Apple mint and Granny Smith apples.

Taste: A more spicy mouthfeel. Lemon pop rocks and more oak. Sweet apples and honey. Nutmeg, pepper, citrus oils and malt. You don't want to mess with this lad.
With water: Bitter oak and bay leaf. An enjoyable lighter texture with citrus notes.

Finish: A long oily finish.

Bruichladdich cask #1694

Bruichladdich cask #1694 Sunderland Farm
  • LaddieMP7 exclusive single cask
  • Distilled 9 December 2004, bottled in 2017
  • 12-year-old single malt Scotch whisky
  • First-fill bourbon cask, Warehouse W12L17
  • Barley type: Optic
  • Sunderland Farm
  • Alcohol: 62.2% ABV
Colour and looks: Darker than its younger siblings. A lovely oily texture.

Nose: Black liquorice candy and aniseed. Spicy. Vanilla and bourbon notes. Orange blossom water. Dried apricots, candied orange. Cedarwood. Whiffs of raw spirit, not really a surprise at 60% ABV.
With water: More wood and baked apple. Marzipan and pastries with almond slices.

Taste: Very bourbon-y. New bitter sour oak on the palate. A creamy texture. Vanilla, wood, oranges. Lots of alcohol. Pineapple, orange blossom water and lemon pie.
With water: Sweet. More civilised if you like. Frangipane cake and sugar icing with a touch of nutmeg.

Finish: A warming finish. Bitter orange rind.

Three Bruichladdich Islay Barley single casks Laddie MP7 exclusives

Your taste palate absolutely needs a rest after three youngsters. Don't be shy of adding some water. The middle one - cask #4019 -  is by far the best from the pack. The gasoline and smoky notes are perhaps a bit un-Bruichladdich but it adds up to the experience.  Solid Laddie stuff. And do watch the video. They give you some real in-depth information about the whiskies and farming on Islay, not just the plain marketing lingo.

Top picture: Bruichladdich

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