Bruichladdich Islay barley 2009

Bruichladdich is a whisky distillery on the isle of Islay which was founded in 1881. Bruichladdich, who describe themselves as ‘progressive Hebridean distillers’ can be quite innovative but also quite traditional as they tend to use a lot of old equipment and no computers when making the whisky.

The whisky Bruichladdich Islay barley 2009 is made was distilled from barley grown in 2008 by Gilbie McCormick of Claggan, Hunter Jackson at Cruach, Ian McKerrell of Island and Alastair Torrance from Mulindry. It is non chill filtered and non-coloured. The barley varieties that was used were Publican & Oxbridge barley varieties. Only americn oak casks were used for maturation as they impart less flavour than European oak and in this Islay barley release are all about the terroir of central Islay. The ABV is 50%.

Normally one could not get this much information about any whisky but Bruichladdich is quite transparent about what they put into their whisky. So how does this whisky taste?

Nose: Some tropical fruits
Taste: Malty with some citrus and almost coastal sea water taste
Aftertaste: Citrus and some sea water

For the age of this whisky it is a very god whisky. Only seven years old but feels like a 10-12 year old whisky, very good.

Bruichladdich, the classic laddie

The Classic Laddie from Bruichaddich is made from Scottish barley and then matured in American and French oak. It is un-chill filtered and uncoloured. It has been bottled at 50% ABV which is good as then I can choose how much water to add. This is a whisky which I have completely changed my mind about when drinking it the last year. Sometimes it takes time to appreciate things.

The smell is the sea, with some fruity aromas. The taste is a bit aggressive due to the high ABV. A bit sour in the taste but some citrus and fruits. A bit fiery after-taste due to the alcohol. The ABV feels like it is much higher than 50% . With some water I get a dryness in the after-taste. Must be the tannins from the oak. I also get like a salty taste in the mouth. It is young and vibrant, quite interesting and I believe that this whisky need some time to open up, let it oxidise in the bottle for a couple of months to let it shine. Definitely a non typical Islay whisky and definitely not for everyone.

Bruichladdich Islay barley

The distiller Bruichladdich on Islay an quite interesting distillery. They go for much locally made. With two new releases in Sweden Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2009 and Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2008 they showcase their locally made whisky. For example the Islay Barley 2009 is made by barley from four different farms on Islay, Claggan, Cruach, Island and Mulindry farms. From what I understand Bruichladdich is looking into malting this barley at the distillery also. That means everything will be done at Islay for these whiskies in the future including the barley grown.
I like that Bruichladdich distillery goes for so much locally made.