A 35 year old Bruichladdich whisky, celebrating Bruichladdich’s 125th anniversary in 2006. A distillery bottling from 1970 vintage, matured for thirty five years in Bourbon casks, and then given an additional cask evolution in Zind Humbrecht’s “Selection de Grains Noble” Pinot Gris casks, before being bottled in 2006. A run of just 2502 bottles, this is bottle no. 1464.

Colour: Full gold.

Nose:
Aromatic and very fruity, it starts on mangos, ripe bananas and very ripe melons, with notes of citrus fruits (mostly tangerines) in the background as well as light honey and pollen. Then we have a gentle oaky coming, with quite some vanilla, a little ginger, white pepper, hints of nutmeg… Then it’s back to fruitiness with notes of beurrée pears, quinces and apricots (all from the wine!), with also a distant smokiness, something slightly toasted and again a little ginger.

Taste:
Starts with a nice mintiness, something smoky, lots of apricots and quinces, candied lemons, spices that are unusual in whisky such as saffron or poppy seeds… The whisky (and the former bourbon casks) strikes back with vanilla, melon, soft tannins, the whole getting woodier and woodier, gently drying.

Finish:
The finish isn’t extraordinarily long but balanced, with the oak counterbalancing the ripe melons and tangerines plus notes of caramelised nuts and sultanas. Excellent indeed despite the low strength.

As with all our older bottles, there may be some slight damage to the labels / box.  Please see the pictures.