Bruichladdich 18YO Single Malt Whisky

Matured exclusively on Islay, primarily in ex-Bourbon casks and a small number of wine casks, The Bruichladdich Eighteen is the epitome of Bruichladdich's signature unpeated house style. It's beautifully fragrant with ripe peach and honeysuckle, hints of violet and lavender and balanced with vanilla and creamed coconut. Melon, peaches, and vibrant citrus come to the fore, while toasty oak brings honey and crème brûlée decadence. The palate is generous with butterscotch and fresh fruits enveloping the palate. Cereals and barley sugars follow bringing about complexity. Quintessential Bruichladdich single malt flavours comes through on the finish - oak spices, leather and honeycomb draw it to long conclusion.

• Distillery: Bruichladdich
• Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Region: Isle of Islay, Scotland
• Alcohol: 50%
• Volume: 700ml
• Goes with: Neat or over ice

"This is an ultra-high provenance single malt. Every single element of The Bruichladdich Eighteen - from the specific harvest and barely varietals used to the exact casks it has matured in - is fully traceable. Which, for a whisky of this age, is quite incredible. 18 years ago, we distilled spirit from our first ever crop of home-grown Islay barley and our passion to diversify and champion our cereal growing programme has never wavered. It’s about making delicious whisky with real provenance which also benefits our community – and The Bruichladdich Eighteen is the embodiment of this ethos.” Adam Hannett, Head Distiller 

This classy single malt comes in uber cool and smart packaging, reflecting Bruichladdich's sustainability strategy to use less and use better. The bottle is produced from an average of 60% recycled glass, and lighter in weight than your typical prestige expression, while the bespoke outer packaging is a first for the whisky industry, made from fully recyclable paper pulp, moulded to the shape of the bottle.

Bruichladdich was built by Barnett Harvey in 1881. Five years later, the Bruichladdich Distillery Company was founded and renovation and refurbishment commenced. The ‘Laddie’, as it is affectionately known, is often considered to be the fruitiest, most inventive Islay malt and, indeed, there has been some contention as to whether it has truly attained Islay-status.

The gentle character of the spirit is attributed by some to the milder weather conditions at Bruichladdich's locality, sheltered, as it is, from Mother Nature by the Rhinns, the rugged Islay mountain range. Following the death of the then owner, Barnett’s son William Harvey IV in 1936, the distillery was sold to Joseph Hobbs for the sum of £23,000. Silent for the latter part of the Second World War, Bruichladdich closed its in-house maltings in 1961, bringing malt in from the Islay maltings at Port Ellen. Enjoying good fortunes, further stills were added in 1975 to grapple increasing demand.

The distillery was then purchased by Murray McDavid and the former Bowmore manager, Jim McEwan was brought in as Production Director. Today the range is vast; many cask finishes, or 'ACE'd (additional cask enhancement) whiskies, have been released as well as peated offerings and, following a few successful years, the ‘Laddie’s’ future looks promising.

• 93/100 Points - Whisky Advocate
• 91/100 points - Distiller
• 90/100 - Drinkhacker