Bruichladdich Laddie Crew Micro Provenance 2003 Bourbon x Calvados Cask

Nose - (without water) Sweet scalded milk notes, a lactic "funk", a hint of saltiness, bitter apples resembling crushed seeds/stems/skins, watery apple juice. (with water) More saltiness, less bitter apple, less lactic "funk". Taste - (without water) A bit harsh, light bitter apple, abundant crushed apple seeds/stems, a hint of saltiness, the heat subsides at the end. (with water) Significantly reduced harshness, more fruity oak, lingering bitterness, saltiness becomes more prominent at the end. Finish - (without water) Clearly apple but with somewhat bitter crushed seeds/stems, gentle warmth in the mouth, a bit too much lingering fruity bitterness. (with water) Bitter apples persist, lingering saltiness. Overall Assessment - I suspect I might have wanted to enjoy this one more than I did. Perhaps they chose an unfavorable calvados cask for the finish, as I detected a significant amount of over-oaked/bitter fruity apple notes that were somewhat off. It was still quite drinkable, but the bitterness was amplified to a degree that I believe disrupted its balance. The apple character throughout was pleasant, but it was excessively bitter, almost like crushed apple seeds. Adding a bit of water definitely improved the overall balance, but it diminished that gentle warmth that gave it a pleasing Clynelish waxy quality. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - Not another one