Bruichladdich 13 Years Old 2002 Old Particular (48.4%, Douglas Laing, Refill HH #10957, 199 Bottles, 2015

• ABV: 48.4%
• Age: 13 Years Old
• Bottling: Douglas Laing, Old Particular, Cask #10957
• Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £sold out
• Origin: Bruichladdich distillery
• Vintage: 2002

What they say

13 year old single malt Scotch whisky from the Bruichladdich, matured in a refill hogshead from August 2002 to November 2015. It has been bottled by the lovely folks at Douglas Laing as part of their Old Particular range. 199 bottles were released.

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: Orchard fruits with a few leaves still hanging on to the stem. Barley with a bit of sea breeze.
• Palate: Mouth-coating sweetness, well balanced by more coastal influence.
• Finish: Apple and pear return on the finish.

What I say

Another Indie Bruichladdich, despite a huge backlog of offical bottlings to samples (mostly Ocotmores!) I keep finding myself drawn to these pale Indie offerings perhaps as I know they’ll be a lot less challenging and softer on the palate. This one was distilled in 2002 and matured for 13 years in a refill cask before bottling in 2015.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Barely gold (1.5/20), medium-large tears and long thin legs.
• Nose: Sweet vanilla, custard and cream pastries, lemon citrus, apple, pear, floral blossom, touch of thin salted caramel sauce.
• Taste: Oily and malty, mixed baked fruits, apple, pear, tart tatin, buttery and sugary on the palate, some salt caramel, creme caramel, custard.
• Finish: Long, sweet fruits, caramel, runny honey, touches of orange zest and cinnamon spice.

Overall

Spirit driven though there are hints of vanilla and spice from the cask noticeable in places, orchard fruits, honey and slightly coastal salt-caramel prevail, great.

Score 85/100

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