Bruichladdich The Organic 2009 Mid Coul Farms

Rating: 14/23 Nose: Faint, herbaceous, with a hint of varied citrus sweetness (citron, grapefruit, orange). The herbaceousness becomes a bit vegetable-like, which then leads to a touch of damp wood. Palate: Light, grainy, with some citrus (citron being most prominent). It even has a slight harshness. I detect some light malt and a hint of wax or perhaps an oily bitterness that blends into an alcohol flavor. The alcohol is clean but still noticeable. A trace of herbaceousness remains, not yet dried out, but it doesn't turn vegetal. It seems like there's spice, but it's more harsh than spicy. There is some wood with a bit of character. Finish: The oily bitterness persists with the herbaceousness, harshness, and an occasional hint of sweet malt. The alcohol is still present. - Summary - This is the odd one out among this, Bere Barley, and Islay Barley. They all seem young and somewhat light, but this lacks the richness or complexity to balance that character. The grain is very prominent, making it taste the youngest of the three and slightly harsh. This is the only one of the three I'm genuinely uncertain about liking. I'm considering at least a 12 for this. It's more complex than Dewar's 15 The Monarch (rated 13), though it shares some similar oiliness and is harsher. I don't believe I have an unpeated malt rated a 14 on hand, but I do have Loch Lomond 12 (rated 16), which is smoother, more balanced, and generally much better. Due to the harshness, I'm still contemplating rating this the same as Dewar's 15 at a 13. Conversely, there's no way this warrants the 16 I gave Loch Lomond 12. I think I'll settle on a 14, which is higher than I expected after the first taste.

The scent begins with gooseberries, burnt hay, and a hint of sour milk, then develops into a rocky, seaside minerality and prunes dusted with cocoa powder, followed by lemon zest, grapefruit, and charred orange peel. This then shifts to ginger, cloves, and driftwood with a mild ethanol sting. The palate offers a light texture, starting with a moderately bitter and sour spice that gradually recedes to gooseberries, burnt hay, and Greek yogurt. This is followed by a rocky, seaside minerality and cocoa-dusted prunes, then sour lemon candy, grapefruit pith, and charred orange peel. The experience concludes with black pepper, ginger, cloves, and driftwood, accompanied by a noticeable ethanol burn. The finish is brief, featuring sour lemon candy, charred orange peel, hay, mild black pepper, subtle rocky seaside minerality, and driftwood. Overall, this is a middling whisky. The initial aromas from the glass presented a strong astringency with tart berries and an unusual milkiness, as if one were flambéing gooseberries with vodka, and a close relative let out a significant burp from a recently fed infant directly into your face. After a few minutes, the scents mellow, becoming less offensive, with the astringency softening though never fully disappearing. Tart berries, a smoky farmyard funk, sour citrus, and wet wood carry over to the palate, beginning with a spicy kick that eventually fades into notes similar to those on the nose, concluding with a short finish. Thanks to a friend for the generous sample and the chance to sample this one.

This is one of the distilleries that didn't leave a strong positive impression during an initial tasting some time ago, but I still wanted to like it. So, this time, a secondary comparison tasting with "the Organic," the "Islay Barley," and the "Port Charlotte OLC:01." Aroma: Initially light and delicate, but upon deeper inspection, it quickly offers some nice deeper notes that, to my taste, weren't overly sweet as they first appeared. It also presents creamy chocolate, fresh tart berries, fresh figs, marzipan with raw vanilla, and cut apple. Later notes include cherries dipped in chocolate, fresh pie, strawberries, and toasted wheat bread. Palate: Nice and straightforward, with a fruity dryness that then becomes sweeter but remains well-balanced. Most of the aromas detected on the nose are directly translated to the palate – very good. Finish: Warming, still quite one-dimensional but certainly pleasant. Overall, the flavors are transparent from the start, with the nose accurately previewing what you experience on the palate and finish. It's clean, fresh, malty, and well-balanced. Not intricate or overly complex, but strong in its convincing characteristics. Likeable and enjoyable for sure. Definitely worth trying because it certainly has its own character.

Aroma: Fresh green apple appears immediately with hints of lemon zest. Notes of strawberry and vanilla extract follow, almost masking a faint salty note, giving the impression of sea air. Melted butter, pastry notes, and sandalwood can be found at the end. Palate: White chocolate is almost the dominant sweet note followed by brown sugar and red berries, cherries almost. Very oily on the tongue with bitter notes appearing through the taste. The Tennessee barrel is very apparent in the vanilla notes. Finish: Faint iodine notes followed by the bitterness of oak and a very faint smoke.

Good stuff. I was initially concerned that the focus on being organic might compromise the quality of the bottle. However, they did an excellent job. This is another of their unpeated Scotches that tastes like it has been peated, but not excessively. It's a balanced, rich dram suitable for daily enjoyment. The regular price is around $100 CAD.

Nose - strawberry - red apple - lemon zest - vanilla extract - salt - Wood shavings - sea air / ocean breeze Palate - fruity sweetness explosion - strawberry - cherry - vanilla - buttery - oak bitter after taste - white chocolate liquor candy - oily texture - rhubarb - butter pastries