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. This bottling is the youngest of the 3 (aged 7 years) but is the darkest, a pale amber which resembles classic laddie. The nose from this initial neck pour exploded with bright shiny fruit, canned pears specifically. That brightness fades with time and air, presenting more earthy scents of both fresh and decaying leaves on a forest trail. At the very back there are some chalky notes that disappear before I can identify them. Overall a light and non aggressive nose. Palate begins as expected with sweet fruit, almost syrupy; as if it came from the previously mentioned can of pears. That moves quick as you get to the main event, the unpeated barley. This catches your attention and holds it. As you taste you expect the usual suspect flavors to show up, but it’s still just malted barley, as if it’s suspended in time. It then slowly shifts to quite a bit of baking spice, the 50% ABV doing a great job of lifting it higher and higher leading to the finish. After that crescendo of malt and spice, the wood really makes an appearance on a finish that is medium long. Dry oak tannin with just the slightest bit of ash reminds you where this elixir came from. What a wonderfully simple whisky. It’s been a while since I’ve had a scotch that doesn’t try to wow me with bells or whistles or crazy finishes, and this is an example of enjoying the simple things in life done well.