What they say

5) Bruichladdich Regional Trials 2014, 61.5% abv, 1st fill bourbon

The youngest spirit in the selection and in our Laddie Origins recipe, but certainly not to be underestimated, is the Bruichladdich Regional Trials, grown in the Black Isle of Scotland, near Inverness. The Regional Trials experiment was initiated in 2014 to distinguish flavour differences according to regionality in Scotland. This northern contingent is grown by the Jack family, while the Aberdeenshire and Lothians contingent are grown by Colin Tough and Tom Lawrie respectively. Always sowing the same variety of barley, their spirit is distilled and takes the same path from malting to distillation and maturation, meaning the final results of any flavour differences originate in their respective soils and climates. Terroir in action, this was a firm favourite of participants in our masterclass line up.

What I say

Celebrating Bruichladdich day on 31st may during Feis Ile 2021 with a Masterclass from Head Distiller Adam Hannett. Sample #5 represents the Bruichladdich regional barley trials – exploring terroir by growing the same barley varietal in several different locations.

• ABV 61.5%
• Age 7 Years Old
• Bottler Official
• Bottling Single Cask
• Cask Bourbon
• Category Single Malt Whisky
• Cost n/a
• Origin Bruichladdich Distillery
• Outturn n/a
• Region Islay
• Released Feis Ile 2021
• Vintage 2014

My tasting notes:

• Appearance Champagne gold (3/20), large tears and medium legs.
• Nose Again cleaner and fresher than the last, butterscotch, shortbread, buttery Highland toffee, buttered popcorn, cereal barley malt, cream or ice cream, Caramac bar, lemon citrus and cask char/wood smoke.
• Taste Sharper on the palate, medium bodied, mealy cereal, mid-palate this becomes very chewy, creme brulee topping, green apple, pear, fruity, floral, heather honey, honeysuckle.
• Finish Long, woody, stalky grass/hay and slightly herbal
• Overall Noticeably younger and much more buttery, more woody/caramel notes come through on the nose and the cereal and slightly grassy/stalky/herbal quality is left until the finish here.

Score 86/100

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