Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2014

Aroma: A very light floral element is present, with hints of mint perhaps? Sweet malt, vanilla, very gentle baking spices. Light brown sugar; I can definitely detect the "delicate notes of nutmeg and hazelnut" mentioned in the official tasting notes. Honeyed pear, with very subtle hints of melon. Palate: Vanilla cream and lemon. Very malt-forward. Creamy and oily texture. Butterscotch, honey, hints of peach. A noticeable oakiness. Cinnamon and other baking spices come through very subtly. A subtle brine/sea spray appears as it transitions to the finish. As it sits and opens up, the peach element becomes prominent. Truly unique. Finish: Stone fruit, lightly floral, oak tannin. Vanilla creme brulee.

Nose: Allowed this to open up a little more than usual before smelling it this time. Sweet vanilla cream, freshly cut wood/varnish, orchard fruit, almost an apple cinnamon note here now. Lightly floral, honeyed malt. Now subtle citrus peel, a very light caramel. A very slight hint of buttered popcorn. A sea breeze is present in the background. Palate: Fresh orchard fruit, apple and pear with a peachy note too. Creamy vanilla, tannic oak with a nice baking spice note that feels light on the palate. A moderate lemon peel is present here too. Nice Salinity appears most prominently as it transitions to the finish. There's also definitely a bit of a farmy/grassy element here too. Finish: Nice and warming, lightly bitter/tannic oak, apple peel.

Nose: vanilla, cereal, lemon meringue. Bright floral notes, somewhere between rose petal and jasmine. A touch of brine. Honey. A few drops of water reveal a fruitier side, with poached pear and crisp Fuji apple, perhaps even a hint of melon. Palate: honey, lemon meringue pie (including the crust!), vanilla custard. Sweet malt, a tiny hint of milk chocolate. Some orchard fruit, specifically apple. Light caramel, soft wood spice. Salinity is present but not very strong. Water mellows it, bringing out sweeter malt notes and vanilla, while muting the citrus slightly. Finish: somewhat lengthy, with cereal, lemon zest, baking spice, and oak tannin. After a while, a subtle jasmine green tea note develops.

Legs: numerous, slow, and thin. Aroma: Clean cereal, honey, and floral notes, followed by fresh lemon zest. Taste: Lots of body, very smooth straight. Initial pleasant sweetness, followed by a slightly bitter (but not unpleasant) finish. Notes of cereal, aged oak, honey, and vanilla. Citrus appears after aeration. Reduced Aroma: After adding a few drops of water, more cereal notes emerged. Surprisingly, I'm getting notes of tortilla chips. It remains floral, but the honey and lemon zest are gone. Reduced Taste: More wood notes are present. The water has made the dram smoother than before, and more sweetness is revealed. For such a simple dram, there's a great deal of care put into this series! I'm amazed at how complex this simple dram is every time I drink it!

Nose: Lemon crème brûlée, peach, vanilla cream, light brown sugar, honeyed malt, a gentle sea breeze. Palate: A sweet malt note, a more robust salinity than I recall. Lemon peel. Vanilla whipped cream. A few drops of water reveal a slightly sharp oak and crisp green apple skin. Curiously, adding water brings out a significant and lingering heat on the palate, along with a hint of white pepper and increased minerality. Also more caramel and vanilla. Intriguing and distinct, though I believe I favor it at full proof. Finish: Moderately briny, with lasting but gentle oak tannin. Mildly extra heat after adding water.

Found two pours remaining when pouring out the last of the bottle, a fantastic sensation! Nose: Immediate honey, followed by sweet malt, creamy vanilla, and orange marmalade with hints of lemon meringue/lemon bars. A subtle note of caramel and caramelized peach. Palate: Light and nearly effervescent, yet complex and full-bodied. Honey. Sweet, grainy malt. Vanilla cream. A pleasant salty air. Fresh, tannic oak. A touch of cinnamon and ginger. Finish: Moderately salty with pleasant mellow oak tannin and warming spice.