Bruichladdich 10 Year (Old Label)

Last night at a spirits tasting, the host announced "let's open something a bit aged" and presented this Bruichladdich 10yo in its vintage packaging, likely from 2003, complete with the metal tin and older label. My previous experiences with this distillery have been mixed; "the classic laddie" was terrible, but the Port Charlotte was enjoyable, and the Black Art was outstanding. This bottle could be the deciding factor for an overall judgment. Let's find out. This one was actually 46% ABV. It had a pale straw appearance. (The cork crumbled, which wasn't surprising). Nose: Immediate orange and lemon notes. Hints of coffee, acetone, butter, and fabric softener. Palate: A bit peculiar. Flavors of ginger, soap (as is common with Bruichladdich), and fresh oranges. It felt slightly diluted. Finish: The highlight of this drink. Notes of peat, pepper, and tobacco. Peat with an orange essence. Eucalyptus and toffee. Truly enjoyable. In summary, this is a rather disjointed spirit. The nose was good to average; the palate felt odd, and the finish was excellent. It walks a fine line between intriguing and awkward, making it difficult to categorize. 83 out of 100.

Bruichladdich 10, Islay, 89 pts. I can't detect any peat if it's lightly peated. The flavor is delicate. It has a light body with honey sweetness and a mild ginger spice. The finish is dry.