Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2010

To honor Robert Burns day, I felt compelled to enjoy a few drams this evening, and what better way than to review three Bruichladdich offerings. I was given a 3x200ml gift set for Christmas featuring 2008/09/10 barley expressions. Let's begin. This particular bottling is the youngest of the three (aged 7 years) but is the darkest, a pale amber reminiscent of classic laddie. The aroma from this initial neck pour burst with bright, vibrant fruit, specifically canned pears. That vibrancy diminishes with time and air, revealing more earthy scents of both fresh and decaying leaves on a forest path. At the very back, there are some chalky notes that vanish before I can pinpoint them. Overall, a light and unobtrusive aroma. The palate starts as anticipated with sweet fruit, almost syrupy; as if it came from the aforementioned can of pears. That quickly transitions as you reach the main event, the unpeated barley. This captures your attention and holds it. As you taste, you expect the usual flavors to emerge, but it remains purely malted barley, as if suspended in time. It then gradually shifts to a significant amount of baking spice, with the 50% ABV effectively enhancing it further, leading to the finish. Following that peak of malt and spice, the wood influence becomes prominent in a finish that is medium in length. Dry oak tannin with just a trace of ash reminds you of this elixir's origin. What a wonderfully straightforward spirit. It's been a while since I've encountered a scotch that doesn't attempt to impress with elaborate features or unusual finishes, and this is an example of appreciating life's simple pleasures executed well.

Rating: 16/23 Nose: Light peat is the initial impression. Not overwhelmingly smoky. It's herbal, vegetal, grainy, and somewhat unusual. Faint carrot notes. Less fruit than in other grain-focused Bruichladdich releases. Palate: That peat hits right away. It's light with an herbal quality that shifts to carrot, subtle chocolate, and a general baking spice profile. A touch of citrus tartness emerges. Not as sharp as lemon, but not as sweet as orange. It's also somewhat bitter. Malty sweetness arrives, supporting both of those flavors. Grainy, lightly toasted. It occasionally reminds me of a young Talisker with some rough edges and added sweetness, but with less peat and more focus on the grain. This certainly tastes younger and more assertive though. I also detect some of the character found in Copperworks peated. This is a bit more bold than Bruichladdich Bere Barley, but it's also captivating and flavorful with its clear peat essence despite being an unpeated whiskey. Considering that Talisker 10 tastes more mature than this does, I believe it could benefit from more aging. Finish: Bitter with peat, occasional chocolate, a slight remnant of fruit. - Conclusion - This seems quite competitive with Loch Lomond 12 (rated 16). I appreciate the character here, but Loch Lomond 12 is more balanced, mature, and refined. The character of this one is fascinating and very tasty, but if I had to choose between them, I would likely select the Loch Lomond 12. On the other hand, this appears clearly superior to Bruichladdich Scottish Barley (rated 15). I believe that means this receives a 15, tying with the Loch Lomond 12.

The aroma is remarkably subtle and requires effort to discern notes, starting with a mild vegetal quality, lemon zest, and hay, then cocoa powder and dried oranges, followed by faint notes of sour green apple, lychee, and nectarines, transitioning to ginger, cloves, and light oak with no alcohol burn. The palate has a medium body, beginning with a moderate bitter spice, followed by melted plastic, gooseberries, and hay, then cocoa nibs and orange peel, followed by grapefruit, lychee, and white peaches, transitioning to ginger, cloves, and ashy oak with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length with grapefruit pith, orange juice, used coffee grounds, and mild black pepper. This is a rather disappointing dram; the aromas are so faint that it comes across as a light vegetal and oaky mist that needs time to reveal its other nuances. On the palate, the flavors are more pronounced but it feels young, with bitter and sour notes that don't quite harmonize before finishing with bitterness, sour citrus, and a mild peppery spice. Thanks to a friend for the generous sample.

Initially, I detected a subtle rubber note, reminiscent of Port Charlotte expressions, possibly from barrel char. Subsequent sniffs revealed a blend of barley sweetness and lemon zest. The palate echoed this with added lemon. Despite the 50% ABV, it felt light. This was a small sample from a recently opened bottle; I suspect it will improve with age. Currently rated 3.5 stars, though it's growing on me, edging towards 3.5 to 4 stars.

Very bright, sweet, and welcoming, without any heavy mustiness you might find in a Speyside. The primary flavors are grains, honey, and maple syrup, but with swirling, you'll detect a wide variety of fruits interacting within the flavor profile. There's also a distinct peppery earthiness that balances the sweetness. Bonus opinion from a friend: 'This is my idea of what scotch would taste like if I enjoyed scotch.' Interpret that as you will.

I'm a big fan of Bruichladdich! Distilled in 2010, bottled in 2017. Wonderful packaging and an attractive presentation of the spirit. A lovely sea breeze on the aroma, making you feel like you're at the beach on a windy day. The palate has grilled lemons with black pepper and sea salt. You detect a hint of the wine casks used on the finish along with brine and more black pepper. Truly impressive for such a young spirit. I appreciate Bruichladdich's openness. I certainly endorse this one, cheers everyone.