Two Bruichladdich battling characterful casks!
More and more Bruichladdich makes its way to my sample stack these days, and that is a good sign. This year we have seen a lot of celebrating the fact that this iconic Islay distillery was resurrected in 2001, so 25 years ago. Today, we got our hands on two independently bottled Bruichladdichs, which is less usual than you’d think. Let’s dive in!
Bruichladdich 2010, 15 years old, bottled at 50,6 % abv by East Village Whisky Co.
First things first: A bottling by the East Village Whisky Company done together with The Whisky Agency for Birthdays United. Whatever that means. Vintage 2010 and bottled in 2025 after maturing in a Rivesaltes barrique. It is not clear to me if this was full maturation or finish. Rivesaltes is a sweet, fortified wine (vin doux naturel) produced in the Roussillon region of southern France.
Upon Sipping: Rivesaltes is a name we see more and more in whisky maturation, and I have to say it does not disappoint me. Besides some obvious sweetness, there is a mineral quality on the nose that is really rewarding. It has turned this Bruichladdich into a cousin of the Springbank 15 years old. Lots of honey, raisin cake, orange peel but always with an underlying whiff of limestone. Rather good! On the tongue, we definitely pick up Bruichladdich character, before the cask takes over with raisin bread. Very oily mouthfeel, thick and syrupy, but pleasantly delicate as well. A nice warming finish makes this Laddie a good candidate for long winter evenings next to a fireplace. Cat nearby, book too, and relax. With a little water, the nose does not really change, but the taste gains a pleasant leathery element, resulting in a much spicier finish.
Word to the Wise: It seems the Rivesaltes cask was well contained by the Bruichladdich spirit. I feared this would turn into a session where the invasive cask obliterates the whisky, but no such thing. This was quite the treat!
Score: 88 points.
Bruichladdich 2006, 19 years old, bottled at 57,1 % abv by Archives
First things first: Distilled on 19 July 2006 and bottled on 25 November 2025, this Bruichladdich was drowned in a first fill sherry hogshead # 1345, producing 240 bottles in the well-known Fishes of Samoa series. A very dark colour on this one!
Upon Sipping: We love bourbon matured picks by Archives, but the sherried ones are not always my cup of tea. How fares this Bruichladdich? The nose is not really forthcoming, perhaps a bit locked up by the 100 proof strength. I do pick up leathery notes, dark wood and strawberry filled pure chocolate. On the palate, there is a mix of creamy notes and wood, dark chocolate indeed, and lots of dry tannins. The Bruichladdich exits on a wisp of smoke, more from the wood than anything else. Impressive finish, good character. You need to like your chocolate very pure! With water, the nose does come alive. Not that there is a lot of change, but you can smell better with the alcohol vapours out of the way. Classic drowned whisky nose, to be fair, not much Bruichladdich soul left in there, but somehow it works. It actually reminds me of some excellent Bowmore 1995 vintages on deep, dark sherry butts. It certainly becomes very accessible when diluted just a tad, without ever losing its charm. A dry note might indicate that this Bruichladdich Archives was on its way to going over the top, but saved just in time.
Word to the Wise: A true sherry bomb on the verge of a breakdown, but as it stands, it works like a charm. It is perhaps a bit too narrow to reach greatness, but overall a tremendous dram nonetheless.
Score: 88 points.