Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013

This whisky, originally rated 4.25, is being upgraded to 4.75. This adjustment is due to a low community rating of 3.18, the lowest among my collection, which was negatively impacted by a single low score from another reviewer. The Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013 doesn't deserve such a low mark. I stand by the 4.25 rating with certainty. I acquired this bottle during a summer trip and only recently opened it, prompted by its placement at #9 on the Whisky Advocate's 2022 Top 22 list, sparking my curiosity. The Eagles playing the Giants also felt like an occasion worthy of something special. I admit I bought this bottle based solely on the brand, expecting it to be peated. Upon opening it, I discovered it was unpeated. Further research revealed a positive review from a respected critic, whose high praise I generally trust, though my tasting experience differs somewhat from his, despite sharing his appreciation. The aroma is less like a typical Islay and more reminiscent of Dalwhinnie, featuring floral notes, honey, and a subtle hint of barbecue-like smoke rather than peat. There's also a suggestion of barrel char. The palate continues with floral honey and a slight citrus and pear character. The finish is extended, with notes of white pepper and ginger. This initial tasting suggests the whisky drinks older than its stated eight years, and I'm eager to revisit it. We moved on to other whiskies that evening, including Teeling Blackpitts, JW Green, and JD SBBP, making for a high-quality tasting day. The Bruichladdich, however, was a standout. My rating adjustment is partly to elevate the community score, as a.25 rating is unwarranted, especially compared to less favorable spirits. I'm bothered by the nonsensical review and bot-like profile that unfairly represents this excellent whisky. We must advocate for good spirits. Wouldn't you agree?

The aroma features apples, green grass, mown hay, and faint traces of salt, evoking a sea breeze on a hot summer day. It's pleasant but doesn't compel me to return to the glass. The palate is warm and smooth, with sweet vanilla, then a touch of lemon peel followed by apples. What begins soft and smooth becomes a bit fiery mid-palate, with the apples giving way to oak and cracked black pepper towards the end. A few drops of water intensify the aroma and open up the palate, allowing the fruits to linger longer and making the finish less fiery and dry. Given that the aroma isn't particularly engaging for me, I prefer it with water. I appreciate the terroir experiment and the distillery's sourcing from Islay farms. This might be more interesting if I had another sample from a different year or different farm(s) for comparison, but on its own, I find it to be just another decent Scotch from an island region.

My initial pours from this bottle were disappointing. As a peat enthusiast, I was anticipating plenty of Islay character and was quite excited for this one. The first few glasses left much to the imagination, but after a few weeks open, I tried it again today. Upon the first taste, I searched my mind for the sensation I was experiencing. I grinned as I identified it. Once this bottle opened up, it transported me back to walking through a grassy field with occasional bushes and trees with my younger brother when I was about 10 years old. We would search for honeysuckle blossoms and extract the sweet nectar from the center, just like the bees. The flavor was incredibly sweet, floral, and fleeting on the palate. As soon as you had a good sip, you craved another. That's how I feel about this bottle. It has a brief finish, but while it's present, it offers an innocent, sweet, delicate experience.

Aroma: Ripe Apple, Pear, Vanilla, Malt Sweetness, Pepper, Honeysuckle, Floral notes, cookie dough. Palate: Malt Sugar, Umami, Vanilla, Apple, Light Honey, Full and Oily, with a sweet Peppery Finish. A wonderful whisky from Bruichladdich, and a unique expression of Islay whisky that is unpeated. It's full, oily, rich, and complex, with plenty of malt sweetness mixed with light fruits, pepper, and hints of honey. The finish is long with malt and saline notes. It's much better than the classic laddie in my opinion. The difference in complexity comes down to age. Even though this has a strong spirit influence, the additional few years spent in the barrel truly make this whisky something special.

The aroma has light fruits, apple & pear, vanilla, some leather. The palate is rich, fruity, heavily apple sauce, sweet, with some mild green tobacco leaf, and a bit of oak. It has a creamy texture. Overall, I find the finish is very spicy, warm, and slightly sharp/tangy, with spice, cinnamon, and more cooked apple or pear. The finish is also very short. Adding water brings out massive pepper flavors and huge heat on the finish.

75% from 1st fill bourbon barrels, 25% from 2nd fill French wine casks. Flavors include toasted barley, sweet buttered corn, charred oak, malt, apples, honey, cinnamon, charred grapes, melon, caramel, strawberry jam on a biscuit, chocolate, smoked tomatoes, and oranges.