Bruichladdich Scotch Whisky tasting notes
 

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Bruichladdich "Oirthir Gaidheal" 1993/2009 (53,6%, OB, Feis Isle 2009, Cask 13, 1000 Bts.) - 260509
 


 

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Bruichladdich Scotch Whisky tasting notes

The Whisky Tasting Indexes - Bruichladdich
 

For Port Charlotte and Octomore - please see Port Charlotte

Bruichladdich - Scotch Malt Whisky - Region: Islay
WF Distillery Ranking: Troisième Cru Classé (all current rankings here)

Status: Active - Stills: 4 (2 wash, 2 spirit) - Founded: 1881
Address: Bruichladdich, Isle Of Islay, PA49 7UN - Phone: +44 (0) 1496-850221
Web: www.bruichladdich.com - More info:Malt Madness

My favourite expression so far:
Bruichladdich 1970/2002 (44.2%, OB)
 95 points - Last tasted in 2006 - Tasting notes: sorry no recent notes (better that way)
 Bruichladdich

General Distillery Profile - keywords (wazzat?)
<20yo: Fruity Fresh Caramel Liquorice Grassy Spirity Chocolate Malty Grainy Fudge
>20yo: Ripe fruits Melons Fresh Pepper Ginger Apricots Vanilla Soft Oranges Nutmeg
In our opinion: The people at Bruichladdich are very creative and masters in guerrilla marketing, taking any opportunity to create some buzz around their brand name. All that is very clever and seems to work very well, especially since no other Scottish distillery had the guts to do it ‘'the Bruichladdich way' so far. After having bought the distillery and having launched some exceptional bottlings in the early 2000s that caught the attention of many whisky lovers (the first 20yo, the 1970, the 1986's sherry cask), they decided to change direction and to almost systematically ‘'enhance' all new versions using wine casks from various origins. By widely enlarging their range, they gained shelf exposure and may also attract wine drinkers, some from the regions/countries where the original wine was made, which, again, is quite clever (the same kind of strategy is used at Edradour). It's also a way of giving more personality and variety to rather ‘'discreet' whiskies and we think that people who like whiskies that display winey aromas will never be disappointed with Bruichladdich's newest bottlings. We also think that Bruichladdich's ‘'new' newmake is of better quality than what the previous owners (Beam) used to make, thanks to careful distilling ‘'Jim and Duncan way', which means that the company may be able to return to more ‘'natural' versions of great quality in the future. Also, we can't wait to taste their ‘single farm –'single barley' whiskies when they'll be mature (the newmakes were extremely interesting).
What's sure is that what Bruichladdich does is never ‘'boring' and that the people there have more energy than a 4th-generation nuclear plant, and for that they deserve thunderous applause, even if some commentators, both private and from the industry, may frown from time to time. - December 20, 2007.
See also Port Charlotte, Bruichladdich's peated variant.
What the pros had to say: coming soon...
MM Distillery profile:
The Bruichladdich distillery is located on the north shore of Lochindaal, near the town of Port Charlotte (fine dining!) and directly opposite Bowmore. This made it the westernmost distillery in Scotland until Kilchoman was officially opened in 2005.... More on Malt Madness.
For a virtual tour of the distillery, or parts of it, please click here...
All the Winners - 90+ (updated November 4, 2007) - Tasting Notes: Please scroll down

Points, whiskies
95 - Bruichladdich 1970/2002 (44.2%, OB)
94 - Bruichladdich 36yo 1966/2002 'Legacy I' (40.6%, OB, 3000 Bts.)
92 - Bruichladdich 1986/2005 (54.9%, OB, fresh sherry butt, 516 Bts.)
92 - Bruichladdich 35yo 1968/2004 ‘Legacy III’ (40.7%, OB)
92 - Bruichladdich 40yo 1964/2004 (43.1%, OB, 500 Bts.)
91 - Bruichladdich 1989/2004 (57.9%, G&M Reserve, C#1957, 275 Bts.)
91 - Bruichladdich 1966/1983 (53.5%, Moon Import, Riserva Veronelli, 2400 Bts.)
91 - Bruichladdich 1983/2002 'Valinch 8.26' (58.8%, OB, C#1370, 836 Bts.)
91 - Bruichladdich 30yo 1970 ‘The Great Whisky Swindle’ (52%, MWBH, 161 Bts.)
91 - Bruichladdich 31yo 1970/2001 (47.3%, OB, C#5085, 250 Bts.)
91 - Bruichladdich 1970/2006 ‘125 years’ (40.1%, OB, 2502 Bts.)
90 - Bruichladdich NAS 'Infinity' (55.5%, OB)
90 - Bruichladdich 20yo (46%, OB, +/-2001)
90 - Bruichladdich 32yo 1967/1999 (48,0%, Signatory Millenium, C#968)
90 - Bruichladdich 40yo 1966/2006 (42%, Duncan Taylor, C#199, 197 Bts.)

Whiskyfun tasting notes
OB - no vintage
  • Bruichladdich NAS (75 proof, OB, 1970’s) - 240905
  • Bruichladdich NAS (42.9%, 0B, Pale cream label, 1970's) - no notes - 85
  • Bruichladdich '3D' ‘The Peat Proposal’ (46%, OB, 2004) - 170904
  • Bruichladdich ‘3D’ 'Moine Mhor' 2nd batch (50%, OB, 2005) - 130505
  • Bruichladdich '3D3' (46%, OB, The Norrie Campbell Tribute, 3rd Edition, bourbon) - 041006
  • Bruichladdich Trestarig - 230805
  • Bruichladdich X4 (86%, Cask Strength, distilled 2006) - 290506
  • Bruichladdich Infinity (55.5%, OB) - 230305
  • Bruichladdich ‘Rocks’ (OB, Banyuls finish, 2005) - 130605
  • Bruichladdich ‘125th anniversary’ (46.3%, OB, 2006) - 050606
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo (42.9%, OB, 1970’s) - 290506
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo ‘sherry casks’ (43%, OB, France, 1990’s) - 160507
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo (43%, red on cream label, early 90's) - 240905
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo (43%, OB, old, +/-1997) - no notes - 75
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo (40%, OB, old, +/-1999) - no notes - 77
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo (46%, OB, new, +/-2001) - no notes - 83
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo (46%, OB, new, +/-2005, Islay Bottled) - no notes - 79
  • Bruichladdich 12 yo (46%, OB, Btl. +/-2005) - no notes - 86
  • Bruichladdich 12 yo (46%, OB, Second Edition, 2006) - 221106
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 'Links I St. Andrews' (46%, OB, 12000 bottles) - no notes - 87
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo Links ‘Troon’ (46%, OB) - 230305
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo (43%, OB, mid 1990’s) - 280407
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo (43%, OB, Old, +/-1999) - no notes - 75
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo (46%, OB, New, +/-2001) - no notes - 86
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo (46%, OB, New, +/-2003, Islay Bottled) - no notes - 81
  • Bruichladdich Fifteen ‘Second Edition’ (50%, OB, Chateau d’Yquem finish, 2005) - 130605
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’ (54%, OB, 2007) - 110707
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo ‘Links Torrey Pine USA’ (46%, OB, ACEd in Château Latour caks, 18,000 bottles, 2008) - 170409
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo ‘Bourbon Cask’ (46%, OB, 2008) - 231208
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo ‘First Growth – Cuvée A’ (46%, OB, ACEd in Château Lafite, Pauillac, 2008) - 231208
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo ‘First Growth – Cuvée B’ (46%, OB, ACEd in Château Latour, Pauillac, 2008) - 231208
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo ‘First Growth – Cuvée C’ (46%, OB, ACEd in Château Margaux, Pauillac, 2008) - 231208
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo ‘First Growth – Cuvée D’ (46%, OB, ACEd in Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, 2008) - 231208
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo ‘First Growth – Cuvée E’ (46%, OB, ACEd in Château d’Yquem, Sauternes, 2008) - 231208
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo ‘First Growth – Cuvée F’ (46%, OB, ACEd in Château Lafleur, Pomerol, 2008) - 231208
  • Bruichladdich XVII (46%, OB, +/-2002) - no notes - 86
  • Bruichladdich XVII (46%, OB, +/-2005) - no notes - 86
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo (46%, OB, 2007) - 091007
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo 2nd Edition (46%, OB, Matured in Petit Manseng casks from Clos Uroulat, Sweet Jurançon, 2008) - 200209
  • Bruichladdich 20 yo (46%, OB, +/-2001) - no notes - 90B
  • ruichladdich 20 yo ‘Second Edition’ (46%, OB, ‘Flirtation’, 2004) - 060904 170904
  • Bruichladdich Twenty Third Edition ‘Islands’ (46%, OB, 5 days Madeira hogshead ‘ACE’ 2005) - 161105
  • Bruichladdich 21 yo (45%, OB, Frattina Italy, 1980’s) - 300707
  • Bruichladdich 21 yo (46%, OB, Matured in Oloroso Sherry casks, 2008) - 170409
  • Bruichladdich 26 yo (45%, OB, Stillman's Dram, +/-1995) - no notes - 87
  • Bruichladdich 34 yo ‘Legacy 6’ (41%, OB, 1,704 bottles, 2007) - 110707
OB - vintage
  • Bruichladdich 40 yo ‘Forty’ 1964/2004 (43.1%, OB, 500 bottles) - 100605
  • Bruichladdich 37 yo 1965/2003 'Legacy II' (41.8%, OB) - no notes - 88
  • Bruichladdich 36 yo 1966/2002 'Legacy I' (40.6%, OB, 3000 bottles) - no notes - 94
  • Bruichladdich 35 yo 1968 ‘Legacy III’ (40.7%, OB) - 021204
  • Bruichladdich 31 yo 1970/2001 ‘valinch - I was there but not today’ (47.3%, OB, cask # 5085, 250 bottles) - 280605
  • Bruichladdich 1970/2002 (44.2%, OB) - no notes - 95
  • Bruichladdich 1970/2006 ‘125 years’ (40.1%, OB, 2502 bottles) - 300107
  • Bruichladdich 32 yo 1972 ‘Legacy IV’ (47.5%, OB, 820 bottles) - 290506
  • Bruichladdich 1973/2003 (40.2%, OB) - no notes - 89
  • Bruichladdich 1983/2001 (46%, OB, Ceramic, 600 bottles, Germany) - no notes - 85
  • Bruichladdich 1983/2002 'Valinch 8.26' (58.8%, OB, cask #1370, 836 bottles) - no notes - 91
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo 1984/2002 (46%, OB) - 050304
  • Bruichladdich 22 yo 1984/2007 ‘Redder Still’ (50.4%, OB, 4,000 bottles) - 300707
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo 1986/2001 ‘Country Life’ (46%, OB, cask #356) - 140705
  • Bruichladdich 19 yo 1986 ‘Baraille’ (54.4%, OB) - 140705
  • Bruichladdich 1986/2005 (54.9%, OB, freesh sherry butt, 516 bottles) - 221106
  • Bruichladdich 1986/2005 (46%, OB, La Maison du Whisky 50th Anniversary, cask #2) - 161105
  • Bruichladdich 20 yo 1986/2006 'Blacker Still' (50.7%, OB, firstfill oloroso and port pipe, 2500 bottles) - 041006
  • Bruichladdich 1986/2006 (54.9%, OB, cask #2, dark sherry butt, 498 bottles) - 221106
  • Bruichladdich 1986/2006 (57%, OB, cask #494, dark sherry) - 030407
  • Bruichladdich 1986/2008 (53.4%, OB, fresh sherry, Stillman Ruaridh Macleod, Munich Festival, cask #531) - 090908
  • Bruichladdich 1988/2006 ‘Mayor of Islay Peru’ (58.5%, OB, valinch, sherry) - 050606
  • Bruichladdich 1988 'Sinnsear Forefathers' (50%, OB, 100% bourbon, 1000 b.) - 060304
  • Bruichladdich 1989/2002 'Valinch' (58.5%, OB, for Paris Whisky Festival) - no notes - 75
  • Bruichladdich 1989/2003 'Full Strength' (57.1%, OB) - no notes - 85
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo 1989/2005 (46%, OB, 480 ceramic bottles, Germany) - 180406
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1989 'Cairdean Family' (46%, OB, sherry refill, online, 2000 b.) - 060304
  • Bruichladdich 1989/2006 ‘Côtes du Rhinns’ (53%, OB, valinch) - 050606
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo 1989/2008 (49%, OB, Bourbon Cask Strength, Asia) - 200209
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo 1989 (46%, OB, ACEd in Carmel Wine Cask) - 170409
  • Bruichladdich 13 yo 1990/2004 ‘Flora McBabe’ (55.2%, OB, valinch, cask #3666) - 230604
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo 1990/2005 ‘Valinch: the Purest Malt’ (55.5%, OB, cask #710) - 130605
  • Bruichladdich 1990/2005 'Valinch Viking Visit' (54.9%, OB, cask #716, 348 bottles) - 221008
  • Bruichladdich 1990/2006 ‘Drambusters’ (56.9%, OB, valinch) - 050606
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1991/2005 WMDII ‘Yellow Submarine’ (46%, OB) - 121005
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1993/2007 'Brunello French oak' (46%, OB, The Italian Collection, 3000 bottles) - 080108
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1993/2007 'Bolgheri French oak' (46%, OB, The Italian Collection, 3000 bottles) - 080108
  • Bruichladdich "Oirthir Gaidheal" 1993/2009 (53,6%, OB, Feis Isle 2009, Cask 13, 1000 Bts.) - 260509
  • Bruichladdich 11 yo 1994/2005 ‘Full Strength Second Edition’ (56.5%, OB) - 121005
  • Bruichladdich 12 yo 1994/2006 (55.1%, OB, Bourbon Casks, 355 bottles, Taiwan exclusive) - 091007
  • Bruichladdich 1998/2008 ‘Oloroso’ (46%, OB, 6,000 bottles) - 090908
  • Bruichladdich 1998/2008 ‘Manzanilla’ (46%, OB, 6,000 bottles) - 090908
  • Bruichladdich 2001/2008 (46%, OB for Jon Bertelsen, Norway, bourbon cask) - 221008
  • Bruichladdich 2001/2008 ‘Resurrection’ (46%, OB, bourbon, 24,000 bottles) - 271108
Berry Bros & Rudd
  • Bruichladdich 1988/2007 (46%, Berry Bros & Rudd, cask #1879) - 170409
  • Bruichladdich 1991/2007 (46%, Berry Bros, cask #2277) - 041107
  • Bruichladdich 1993/2003 (57%, Berry Bros, cask #1622-1623) - 280205
Blackadder
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo 1991/2002 (56.1%, Blackaddder Raw Cask, cask #3264) - 230604
  • Bruichladdich 13 yo 1991 (55.3%, Blackadder Raw Cask, cask #3266) - 290506
Cadenhead
  • Bruichladdich 25 yo 1968/1994 (50%, Cadenhead) - 290506
  • Bruichladdich 30 yo 1969/2000 (46.5%, Cadenhead's Chairman Stock, Bourbon Hogshead, 150 bottles) - 210208
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo 1979/1997 (55.8%, Cadenhead) - 230206
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1986/2000 (58.2%, Cadenhead's) - no notes - 85
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo 1986/2002 (55.8%, Cadenhead, 288 bottles) - 221008
  • Bruichladdich 17 yo 1986/2004 (55.5%, Cadenhead, bourbon hogshead) - 290506
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1991/2005 (56%, Cadenhead's Auth. Coll., 318 bottles) - 041107
  • Bruichladdich 1992/2005 (46%, Cadenhead, 312 bottles) - 220507
Coopers Choice
  • Bruichladdich 1991/2002 (46%, Cooper’s Choice, two years portwood finish) - 290506
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1991/2006 (46%, Coopers Choice) - 280407
Douglas Laing
  • Bruichladdich 35 yo 1966/2001 (40.5%, Douglas Laing OMC, 228bt) - 040404
  • Bruichladdich 19 yo 1988/2007 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, ref #3839, 328 bottles) - 100308
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1990/2005 (50%, Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask, 348 bottles) - 161105
Duncan Taylor
  • Bruichladdich 40 yo 1966/2006 (42%, Duncan Taylor, cask #199, 197 bottles) - 180406
  • Bruichladdich 40 yo 1966/2006 (41.6%, Duncan Taylor, cask #200, 170 bottles) - 030407
  • Bruichladdich 33 yo 1969 (48.7%, Peerless, cask #2929) - 240304
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo 1990/2007 (46%, Duncan Taylor NC2, sherry cask) - 160507
  • Bruichladdich 1991 (46%, Whisky Galore) - 230604
Gordon & MacPhail
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo 1968/1985 (55.5%, G&M for Intertrade) - 100308
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1985 (57.9%, Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength, cask #1961) - 130905
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo 1989/2004 (57.9%, Gordon & MacPhail, cask #1957, 275 bottles) - 290506
Hart Bros
  • Bruichladdich 35 yo 1966/2001 (44.5%, Hart Bros) - 210208
James MacArthur
  • Bruichladdich 10 yo (58.2%, James MacArthur Old Masters, mid-90’s) - 280205
  • Bruichladdich 19 yo 1988/2008 (54%, James MacArthur, bourbon, cask #1882) - 100308
  • Bruichladdich 12 yo 1991/2003 (58.7%, James MacArthur) - 130905
Moon Import
  • Bruichladdich 1966/1983 (53.5%, Moon Import, Riserva Veronelli, 2400 bottles) - 110707
Murray McDavid
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1984/2003 (46%, MMcD) - 060304
  • Bruichladdich 11 yo 1986/1998 (46%, Murray McDavid, MM2083) - no notes - 79
  • Bruichladdich 15 yo 1986/2001 (46%, Murray McDavid, Bourbon) - no notes - 85
Samaroli
  • Bruichladdich 1964/1996 (43%, Samaroli, cask #3611) - 130505
Scott's Selection
  • Bruichladdich 14 yo 1986/2000 (55.6%, Scott’s Selection) - 130905
Signatory
  • Bruichladdich 32 yo 1967/1999 (48%, Signatory Millenium, cask #968) - 180406
  • Bruichladdich 20 yo 1969/1990 (43%, Signatory, casks #4928-4932, 700 bottles) - 221008
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo 1970/1989 (46%, Signatory, casks #20354-20359, 1400 bottles) - 230206
  • Bruichladdich 16 yo 1979/1995 (43%, Signatory, cask #834-35) - 290506
SMWS
  • Bruichladdich 1974/1990 (56.3%, SMWS 23.5) - 230604
Wilson & Morgan
  • Bruichladdich 1992/2005 'Extra Strength' (50%, Wilson & Morgan) - 161105
Various IB
  • Bruichladdich 11 yo (59.6%, Caledonian Selection, cask #2301) - no notes - 86
  • Bruichladdich 17 yo (43%, Duthie for Giorgio D'Ambrosio, 1980s, 75cl) - 221008
  • Bruichladdich 18 yo (40%, Duthie for Giorgio d'Ambrosio, early 1980s?) - 200209
  • Bruichladdich 37 yo 1966/2003 (44.5%, High Spirits, Scottish Colourists, cask #1233, 202 bottles, 75cl) - 210208
  • Bruichladdich 30 yo 1970 ‘The Great Whisky Swindle’ (52%, MWBH, 161 bottles) - 280605
  • Bruichladdich 1992/2007 'Fishky' (50.2%, Stupid Cask, Germany) - 220507
 
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