Bruichladdich 1988 / 30: The Untouchable

Following several disappointing choices at Bruichladdich's Feis Ile 2024 event, I discovered a bar tucked away at the rear of the distillery. There, I found a delightful rarity: a 30-year-old, 1988 vintage from the "Rare Cask Series," named The Untouchable. This bottling, at 46.2% ABV, is one of only 6,000 produced and was aged in refill bourbon barrels and refill squat hogsheads. The aroma is intensely tropical, featuring pineapple, a soda-like sweetness, and spun sugar. It's very inviting. On the palate, I detected notes of sawdust and pineapple. It's quite tart and tropical. The finish was dominated by sweetness, spun sugar, and pineapple. In summary, any "laddie" that avoids tasting like soap or shampoo is a successful expression, and this one fits the bill. Its highly tropical, Caribbean character made it delicious. If I encountered this blind, I would never guess it was from Bruichladdich. My rating is 92 out of 100.

Wonderful product. Smells like: Vanilla, Jasmine, Mangoes, Pineapples, Apple Pie, Brown Sugar, Almonds, Honey, Brine, Salted Caramel, Blue Cheese, White Chocolate, Rose Petals, Strawberries and Cream, Coconut Cream Taste: Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Apricots, Oranges, Honey, Salted Caramel, Brine, Pecan Pie, Apple Strudel, Coconut Cream Pie, Peaches, Toasted Marshmallows, Pineapples Aftertaste: Honey, Oranges, Beeswax, Vanilla, Treacle, Walnuts, Brown Sugar, Roses, Turkish Delights, Marshmallow Fluff, Peaches, Peppermint

Tasted at the distillery. It's good and quite straightforward, with a touch of spice, more honey, and heather/grass notes.

Quite good, though in my view, not quite as outstanding as the 84, 85, and 86 vintages.

An excellent dram to try, but I would probably not spend 1500CAD on it.