JoelyO
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
October 13, 2021 (edited February 27, 2022)
Backstory: I participated in a Distiller W.O.W. (whiskies of the world) Zoom call having received 10 drams of different whiskies, actually 9 as they snuck one rum in with the mix.
See my review on Diplomatico Reserva. I am so glad to have been introduced to a rum that put my love of bourbon to the test!
This tasting event was a gift for my finance for his 50th so I got each of us a sample box and we joined in the Zoom call together one evening. It was a blast and I am glad we had two boxes as by the time we got to the last few drams my tasting notes got a little suspect as I had a pretty good buzz going! Plus, even with clearing my palette, and sniffing on coffee beans I am sure that my tasting was not as great as it was on those first few drams. We were smart to just share in the first box and save the second back for tasting over a period of a week just to be sure our notes were correct.
REVIEW:
Appearance: Very light straw blond to pale cream, slightly hazy, medium thick, slightly oily.
Nose: Very light alcohol aroma which is not bothersome at all, salt, straw, sea spray, very light iodine and bandaid scent but again, not bothersome. peaches, lemon candy and light wildflower honey.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, thick, oily, tangy. Surprised at the thickness and richness of the mouth feel considering the light color. The haze, or heft however in the appearance did elude to this thicker feeling. Its surprisingly awesome.
Flavor: Salt, vanilla, cream, up front. Mellow iodine with the flavor or fresh baked bread brushed with a slight bit of caramel dust. Apricot marmalade presents on tongue followed by an herbaceous zest.
Finish: Lingering with a slight smokey sweetness and sea spray saltiness.
Overall thoughts:
So I am a hella noob when it comes to scotch. Some I have liked, some I have hated. This one gives me hope that I could learn to love scotch. It may not be as sophisticated as others but it is a good starting point for me. All of the flavor notes that I love are here, and those I am not a fan of, I'm looking at you bandaid!, are very mild.
I would like if the flavors I enjoy had a little more oomph to them but for now, I am happy to have tried this and would buy if I did not have others I wanted to try more on my list. Until I try more scotch I will hold off on a purchase but I feel this is a good one to get newbies started with.
I really appreciate the mouthfeel on this one - its heavier and oily and for some reason that feels pleasant to me.
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@Soba45 dang, prices on the 15 and 18 are at least double that here… but even in our market $150 seems to be a strong inflection point as far as quality goes
@Soba45 damn! That is some scary shit!
@JoelyO I should add..also 1 stomach. I got my liver tested last year and no problems but after the last 2 day whiskey festival i gave myself gastritis and shat blood for a couple of days so you really can't get any clearer sign than that it's time to moderate straight spirit drinking!
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington I wouldn't personally but then again i wouldn't spend that much $$ on any bottle. A sample yes but not a bottle. I can get Springbank 15 for $85 and the 18 year for $120 so that's the value benchmark :-). These days if i every bought again $140 mark would be the ceiling. Can get great stuff and imho that or even below is the magic point after which everely diminishing value for money sets in!
To quote @Soba45 "you only have 1 liver." ugggg you just tapped into one of my biggest fears and have now justified for me only buying the best I can afford. Thank you, I think. lol
@Soba45 about their Black Art… there are several 1994 8.1 bottles around that sound lovely but cost $500 - any justifiable reason to go for broke on one? I’m interested but incredibly hesitant because of it being double my max
Again to be the contrary... Out of the 11 I've tried from this distillery definitely the least favourite. Not because it's bad its not at all. It's just because the Octomore/Black Art range is so damn AWESOME. I would group them: Classic/Laddie - Lowest Port Charlotte - Mid Octomore/Black Art- Top Now there is variance within the groups but you only have 1 liver. Experiment but imho don't waste it or your taste buds on mediocrity...and that doesn't mean spend large $$. There is still reasonably priced gold out there!
@Ctrexman Thanks so much for the suggestions!
Nice review this is one of my favorites. You could ease in a little with some decent blends JW Black is tasty for the money, Monkey Shoulder and Naked Grouse are couple of blended malts. All good for a beginner scotch palate
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington I can absolutely see how this is a process that takes time and patience. Glad you didn't dump that bottle!
@cascode haha I am working on embracing it. Looking up Ben Nevis! Thanks for the suggestion.
Gotta love a pour with real viscosity, great notes and I’m with @cascode - I once came close to pouring a bottle of Laphroaig down the drain and by the third pour went from disgusted to fascinated and the rest is history!
Embrace the bandaid 😃 Heavy and oily seems pleasant? Good sign 👍Try Ben Nevis