Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie

Nose: Seems to swing from earthy notes (yeast, malt) to brighter fresh fruit notes (pear, cherries, bright fresh peat or sea brininess, floral perfume) to darker fruit notes (dried candied fruit, hints of milk chocolate). Palate: Earthy (malt) quickly transitions into the bright fresh peat/sea brine note from the nose which dissipates to a slight numbing spice and finally returns to the malt character. Notes of malt, dried mushroom, dried plantain, cherries, honey. Finish: More of the malt character. Transitions into some fruity and bitter notes after a few minutes. Notes of malt, lemon zest, dark chocolate. Interesting to read that this whisky is not peated. I must have been fooled by the sea brine and bright fruit character which I interpreted as a fresh peat! Overall it's an enjoyable dram with some interesting character to it that took me on a bit of a ride. I think the finish is a bit too much on the bitter side though I'm coming around to the conclusion I just have overly sensitive bitter receptors.

The high abv pack a punch. On the rocks is good. Some pepper and orange peel on the nose, with slight hint of smoke / peat, not very strong. Taste of cinnamon and some salty sea spray. After taste is quite unconventional though. Overall, I wouldn't say its a disappointment, but not a splendid pour either.

Nose. Lovely. There’s a slight metallic hint but tons of barley, honey, sea salt and orange boiled sweets. Palate. Oily and rich with tinned fruit, vanilla, toffee and spices. Finish. Malty. Lingering warmth that develops. In summary, this is a really nice NAS whisky. Definitely recommended.