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2006 Bruichladdich Islay Barley 5 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
To those wanting a more enlightened experience than that which fills their glass today, Bruichladdich’s whiskies will offer the most. We commend Bruichladdich to anyone wanting an alternative to the daily grind, or a more ‘progressive’ vision of what Scotch Whisky can become when vivid imagination melds with genuine artisanal skill. This release affirms Bruichladdich's movement towards 'terroir' - a whisky with genuine Islay provenance derived from the "...the sea salt spray lashed fields", it should be on anyone's shortlist looking for sub $100 malt that's over delivering. Limited stocks.
Tasting note: Pale straw gold. Pure barley sugar and peppermint delight in the opening phases followed by haystack, ginger bread, hints of banana cake, shortbread and finally more floral-like notes in the later stages. Medium dry with momentary juicy barley at mid palate; gives way to drier, grass-like flavours with a gently peppery flourish followed by malt and hints of cocoa in the fade. Fresh, complex and deceptively long. A superb expression of the grain. 50% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Since its reopening eleven years ago, Bruichladdich has been growing barley on Islay - a laudable move. This glimpse into the developing program shows what seems initially to be a delicately fragile dram that soon reveals an intense sweet depth behind the spring flowers. This purity of intent continues on the palate with a thick creaminess that's typical of the distillery, while a tart finish adds interest. Precocious, but already beautifully balanced. 84 points - www.maltadvocate.com, (Vol. 21, #3) Reviewed by: Dave Broom size>...The nose suggests a trainee has been let loose at the stills. But it makes amends with an almost debauched degree of barley on delivery which lasts the entirety of the experience. Heavens! This is different. But I have to say: it's bloody fun too! 86 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2013 size>
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