Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2010

This Bruichladdich 2010 Bere Barley Scotch is a beautiful bottling. I was curious about it because of the research I'd done on bere barley, an ancient grain cultivated for centuries on the British Isles, especially Scotland. With the Organic and Islay Barley bottles already in my collection, I decided to complete the set. Of these three Bruichladdich experiments, the Bere Barley stands out as the best. The richness of aroma and flavor from start to finish made each anticipated sip both challenging and satisfying. Initially, the nose reminded me of the Islay Barley or Bladnoch 10 with its warm, buttery, and toffee notes. It then evolved to more Asian profiles, like taro root and red bean on the nose, tapioca on the palate, and rice wine, similar to sake, on the finish. This 8 Year Old whisky is quite good. I highly recommend this rare find if you have the chance to try it and are open to something different. I trust the process, and though I'm sure there's a reason, I can't help but wonder how much better this Scotch might have been with a few more years in the barrel. Still, pouring a dram brings back memories. The barley was grown and harvested in 2009 in Orkney and distilled in 2010, the same year the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games saw Canada's men's hockey team win gold! Fond times and even better recollections. I'm getting sidetracked. Well done, Bruichladdich, on another memorable dram! NOSE: Sultana, butter, toffee, oak, malt, dandelion, sandalwood, taro root, roasted red bean PALATE: Honey, tapioca, chrysanthemum, grass, nutmeg FINISH: Earthy tones, grass, rice wine, sea salt, malt, oak, coffee, chocolate Rating: 89/100 Grade: B+ Great - always want to have a bottle.

Like many others, I keep coming back to the word ‘interesting’ for this whisky, and I mean that in the best way – it’s an engaging and complex curiosity. Every time I think I understand it, I find myself doubting and reaching for another sip. The flavors are familiar yet strange, clearly Bruichladdich but also distinctly unique. The distillery’s signature creamy, lactic quality leads the nose, soon joined by grass and kiwi. The spirit has a pleasant oily weight in the mouth, where the sour cream notes are accompanied by peaches in rich cream and a vibrant spice that is surprising given the lack of peat or extended oak aging. The unique mix of sour cream, fruit, grass, and spice differentiates this from standard Scotch, and while it might not be an everyday drink, it offers a stimulating alternative for a tired palate. Be bold and try Bere.

Similar to other Bruichladdichs I've sampled, this one needs patience to reveal its character. The prior Bere edition presented a nose dominated by stale grains. This current bottling offers aromas of unripened pears, green grapes, and synthetic apple, supported by malt and vanilla. The dusty grain note, which previously overwhelmed my experience, appears later. The palate exhibits mild saltiness, pepper, waxy apples, and pears, with a lovely thickness. Vanilla and brown sugar are present. The finish is notably extended, featuring white pepper, a hint of mint, abundant unripened pear, and wax. This is a vibrant and forward dram. I truly appreciate it, though I must admit my fondness for most Bruichladdich expressions. The score of 93 is warranted.

This is certainly a curious bottling. The aroma is quite mild, presenting notes of grains and delicate vanilla undertones. The palate, however, is where the intrigue truly lies. It possesses a mild sharpness due to its youth, yet not as pronounced as one might anticipate from an eight-year-old malt. The flavors linger persistently; even after swallowing, a creamy vanilla scent still reaches the nose. Ultimately, a very engaging scotch that warrants consideration.

This is an odd little drink. Initially, I couldn't stand the smell, which was almost like paint thinner. However, after a while, it shifted to resemble damp leaves and hay. The palate follows suit, moving from grassy to herbal to smoky. I find myself strangely drawn to it, captivated. I'm not sure I'd buy a whole bottle, but a few tastes are definitely worth exploring. My thanks to a friend for the generous sample—this was quite a journey.

This was one of two highlights at a recent tasting. I enjoyed it considerably. I detected many chocolate notes, which I offer as a compliment. It reminded me of Cocoa Crisp cereal at several points. Odd, as I believe it's been over 30 years since I last tasted it. But the memory returned vividly. Not excessively sweet; don't assume that. Adding water enhanced it nicely.