First Tasting: Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Scottish Barley

[R-Savage]

Whisk(e)y Tasting Notes: Bruichladdich Scottish Barley Scotch Whisky

 

Introduction: This Scotch Whisky is an NAS (No Age Statement) scotch. This scotch is bottled at 100 Proof (50% ABV) and is unchilled filtered, with no added colouring. It has been aged in Ex Bourbon Barrels, as well as French Oak Barrels. The Scottish Barley comes from the local farmers in the area, they give updates to Bruichladdich on temperture and climate. It seems according to the website that they are very particular about this. It seems to me to be as close as you can come from barrel to bottle. The price point of this whisky is very reasonable. I picked this up for $57.40 CDN. For my american friends dont panic. A bottle of Buffalo Trace up here is roughly 38 to 42 dollars CDN, so you can get an idea of the price difference. I have seen a few reviews on this whisky. I have a feeling this is going to be one of these scotches,you are going to love it, or you are going to hate it.

 

The packaging to me is very intriguing, unique, and very attractive. The bottle itself is a blue green opaque colour. From the
reviewer at whisky.com, it has been said that the reason of the opaque color of the bottle is for a rememberance of the colour of the water at certain times of the year.

 

As Ralfy has said. Bruichladdich is a traditional scotch. Hopefully I quoted you correctly on this Ralfy.

 

I haven't seen any reviews or tastings on this board in regards to this offering of Bruichladdich. So I thought I would share my findings.

 

The Glass: I will be using a Glencairn.

 

Colour: It seems to be a light Honey coloring

 

Legging:The legging seems to be quite thick and slow in my opinion

 

Nose: I have the glass on the desk besides me. What a marvelous aroma. bringing up to my nose. it is quite floral. Im smelling citrus, a hint of bitter toffee, with a sweetness in the background. beautiful aroma. It does have a nice kick on the nose, smell this gently.

 

Taste: wow definately has a punch, that 50 abv really comes through. the wood flavouring is beautiful, this scotch seems to be the best one I have tasted so far. THere is a bit a fruit, and honey, it seems that the nose is more complex than the taste,

 

Texture: the texture seems to be light, and powerful

 

Finish:the finish is a medium and longer lasting others that I have tried. this stuff is a real delight to sip on.

 

Opinion: two thumbs up. IF this is what Bruichladdich is offering as its core Scotch. Im Sold! This is a very nice sipper

Edited December 25, 2015 by R-Savage
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[tanstaafl2]

You might try to find a bottle of the original Laddie 10 which this replaced although that may be getting harder and harder to do now as it has been awhile since the changeover. We did a blind side by side of this and the Laddie 10 at the GBS International Whisky night (Could have been last spring but probably in 2014. Don't think it was last year) and the general consensus was there was no comparison for I think everyone there. The Laddie 10 was far superior to me and this NAS tasted overly sweet without any distinctive character or complexity at all especially when compared to the 10. A sweet but uninspiring one trick company and a sad addition to the legacy of the new Bruichladdich prior to the recent takeover. Which is not to say they don't still put out good bottles but this ain't it!

[R-Savage]

Thanks I will be on the lookout for a laddie 10. 

 

To me this stuff is quite pleasant. I'm not experienced in scotch at all. But I do like what I'm tasting. I do prefer this to the balvenie 12 doublewood.

[R-Savage]

I have had a few drams of this whisky, I have had a few pours. Let me tell you. This is the best sipper in scotch I have had. In Canadian terms " Lets go fer a rip!" Even as a NAS Whisky. Its young, it has burn, it has flavor. I am a beginner in a advocate scotch reviewer. my words  for bang for your buck........ " Damn...... This is good!!!!!!!!"" I cannot get a classic ladie 10 it is unavailable. If your looking for a great sipper I would say give it a go. its quite affordable.

[chasking]

Bruichladdich is a victim of its own success.  They did an excellent job of revitalizing the distillery a few years back and have built the Laddie brand into something to be envied, but, they didn't have the stocks and the whisky in the pipeline to keep up with the demand they created, apparently.  Hopefully a few years down the road they will bring back the 10yo expression, which I also liked a lot.  I've got a few bottles of older Bruichladdich, but when I work through them I'll probably try this NAS version.  They make great whisky; I just hope that the stuff in this bottle has had enough time in the wood.

My wife and I visited the distillery on our honeymoon---it was our favorite tour of the five Islay distilleries we visited, and that's saying something, because they were all amazing.  One of the bottles I have is a "Valinch" that we filled from a cask in the visitor's center.

This thread prompted me to pour some of a 14yo that I have, which was a good thing.

Edited December 26, 2015 by chasking

[R-Savage]

chasking that is great to hear. I would love to visit one or two of the distilleries. That would be one heck of a great holiday. I really like what I am tasting for Bruichladdich offerings, I am going to also look for others that are not NAS, and see how they are.

[R-Savage]

Well I must say that this bottle is almost gone. It is a simple tasting whisky. I must say I'm enjoying it more as a on board sipper. I served it to a friend of mine on New Years. He's a lagavulin fan. He really enjoyed it. I will be buying another bottle of this . The price is a big bonus. It's quite affordable.  Well... Happy sipping. It's a great after work whisky.  Cheers time to have another one.

[Darwin]

I enjoyed the 10yo but I am indifferent about this expression.  For the same price I will stick with aged expressions that I enjoy more.  

 

[R-Savage]

I tried looking for the 10 year. It's nowhere to be found up here. However I did find a port Charlotte 10 year and the NAS I think no 7 . I will have to give that a go.