Review | Bruichladdich 18 years old

The Bruichladdich 18 years old is a new permanent addition to the core range of the Islay distillery of Bruichladdich. It was launched simultaneously with another rare single malt, the Bruichladdich 30 years old, which will also be a permanent core expression. They are the first permanent whiskies of such age to sit in the range and form part of a new premium sub-range named Luxury Redefined. 

The Bruichladdich 18 years old features whisky made from the first crop of Islay barley distilled at Bruichladdich in 2004. The majority has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels with a small percentage of whisky added that has seen maturation in ex-Sauternes wine and ex-Port casks. All casks have been aged in warehouses on Islay. It is released at 50% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. A bottle will cost £150. 

Both of the new whiskies come in revolutionary new packaging. This features a new bottle made from 60% recycled glass and a pioneering wraparound sleeve made from recycled paper pulp. This is moulded to the shape of the bottle and is plastic free and produced using 100% green energy. 

Bruichladdich (pronounced brook-laddie) is located on the western peninsula of Islay and sits on the shores of Loch Indaal. The distillery was founded in 1881 by Barnett Harvey and it was one of the first buildings in the UK to be constructed using concrete. Bruichladdich translates as 'the brae (or hillside) by the shore' from Gaelic. 

The current owners are Remy Cointreau, who took control in 2012 from a group of independent entrepreneurs. They had renovated the distillery and rebuilt the brand following a period of closure between 1995 and 2001. The current capacity is two million litres per year.Unusually they produce three different styles of single malt at the distillery - classic Bruichladdich, peated Port Charlotte and heavily peated Octomore.

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is deep gold and the nose is very honeyed and malty. Aromas of heather honey and fresh vanilla pod marry well with a distinct malted biscuit-like quality. Further aromas of golden syrup and toffee and toffee are supported by some candied lemon and toasted hazelnut. Hints of cocoa powder and juicy pineapple sit in the background.

On the palate this whisky has a silky and velvety mouthfeel. Initial notes of fresh honeycomb straight from the hive and vanilla patisserie custard are delicious and then quickly supported by fresh malt cookies and oatcakes. It feels juicy and vibrant in this early phase with some lovely fruity notes evolving - think of apricot jam, caramelised pineapple and candied grapefruit peel.

With time, more savoury notes begin to evolve. These are led by warming dusty spices - these feel quite Christmas-like and include cinnamon bark, clove and a scratch of nutmeg. There are also some pleasing hints in the background - think of marzipan, hazelnut praline and lemon curd with a pinch of cocoa and powdered ginger.

The finish is long and warming with the spices building. This, combined with an increasing oaky note, gives a pleasant dryness to proceedings. The fruit and honey-like sweetness slowly fade to reveal these savoury and woody characteristics further. A late hint of gingerbread rounds things off superbly.

What's The Verdict?

This is a bold statement from Bruichladdich to release something at this age point on a permanent basis, which is something they have not done before. The whisky backs up this boldness and is superb. The balance and elegance that only sympathetic maturation in good quality oak casks for so long can give makes this a great dram. 

The fruit, sweetness and warming woody spices combine exquisitely. Hats off for also doing something so revolutionary and eco-friendly with the packaging. We have seen a few rumblings from people and commentators about the price but we think this is definitely one to add to your collection.