Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2009

In honor of Robert Burns day I would be remiss if I didn’t enjoy a few drams tonight, and what better way then to review 3 offerings from Bruichladdich. I received a 3x200ml gift pack for Xmas with 2008/09/10 barley expressions. Let’s get to it. The nose on this bottling is quite unique. I’m used to fruit, or malt, or smoke etc, but this is making me work for it. There is just a hint of tart green apples and watermelon rind that are trying to hide what’s really there which is that organic barley. This has a sweet chalky vibe to it, like when you opened your first pack of Popeye cigarettes as a kid. An interesting but not conventional nose. The start of the palate is also not conventional, doing a head-fake by making you think it’s going to be sweet but moving right into savory and umami. Darker earthy notes here with decaying vegetation (peat) and some hints of char through the middle. I didn’t mention the heavy barley presence but that’s a given. A good amount of white pepper and some baking spice come racing in at the end just to say they were there too. Finish is medium short, with a little more smoke, oak and spice rounding it out. This dram is a little darker (in experience) then the 2010 I just reviewed and those extra couple years show that it wants to be taken more serious and it does show up on the taste. Great whisky indeed.

Light smell. Very Smokey linger.

Taster. Lighter but well balanced.

Spicy cinnamon on the finish that lingers