Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2010

Rating: 16/23 N: Light peat is the first thing that jumps out. Not so much smoke.It's herbal and vegetal and grainy and funky. Faint carrots. Less fruit than in the other grain-centric Bruichladdich offerings. P: That peat hits immediately. It's light with an herbal character that morphs into carrot, light chocolate, and a general baking spice profile. A bit of citric tartness starts coming out. Not as sour as lemon, but not as sweet as orange. It's a bit bitter too. Malty sweetness swoops in, carrying both of those flavors. Grainy, lightly toasted. It reminds me a bit at times of a young Talisker with some rough edges and added sweetness, but with less peat and more emphasis on the grain. This definitely tastes younger and more aggressive though. I also get some of the character that Copperworks peated has. This is a bit more brash then Bruichladdich Bere Barley, but it's also fascinating and tasty with its clear peat flavor despite being an unpeated whisky. Seeing as Talisker 10 tastes more mature than this does, I think this could do with some more aging. F: Bitter with peat, occasional chocolate, a little remnant of fruit. - Conclusion - This strikes me as very competitive with Loch Lomond 12 (16). I like the character here, but Loch Lomond 12 is more balanced, mature, and refined. The character here is fascinating and very tasty, but if I had to pick one or the other, I'd pick the Loch Lomond 12 most likely. On the other hand, this seems to be clearly better than Bruichladdich Scottish Barley (15). I think that means that this is getting a 15 to tie with the Loch Lomond 12.

Smooth, smooth, smooth as silk.

Intense and sweet without being candy.