In Feb 2024 we held a tasting with a brand we had long hoped to work with – Bruichladdich. Reed Pettit brought a few bottles and we acquired a Laddie 10 from the 90s, along with two experimental bottlings courtesy of a member of the club. The tasting was incredible, the stories and insights Reed shared were equally phenomenal and everyone had an amazing time. … Continue reading Bruichladdich Tasting
(This distillery write-up was written by Toronto Whisky Society member Stephen Sheps. Another big thanks to him for sharing the experiences he had visiting Islay back in 2019!) Part 3 of my Islay Journey is a bit of out chronological order, but it was so good that it needed to be saved for last – Bruichladdich. I should probably preface this review with 2 caveats: … Continue reading Bruichladdich Distillery Review
So it’s the dawn on the first morning on Islay. Bowmore is lovely as could be as the sun begins to shine onto Loch Indaal, but I won’t be staying for too long in Bowmore this morning. A quick hour long bus ride from Islay High School takes us to the pier of Bruichladdich, just minutes away from our destination, and our first distillery tour … Continue reading Bruichladdich Warehouse Tasting
Octomore 8.1, 59.3% ABV, 8 years old, $160 CAD. 100% first fill American oak from Buffalo Trace, Clemont Springs, Four Roses, Heaven Hill and Jack Daniels distilleries. Scottish barley. 167 PPM. 42,000 bottles produced. Nose: Lemon, a floral sweetness, black treacle, licorice, sweet straw, creamy peat, and a faint wood note. Taste: Grilled lemon, treacle, salt water, cantaloupe, floral. Finish: Very long, slightly drying, oak, … Continue reading Bruichladdich Octomore 8.1 & 8.3
Quick mention about letting whisky sit, oxidize, and open up before you drink it: You’ve heard about allowing whisky to breathe one minute in the glass for every year in the cask? (18 year old whisky; let it sit for 18 minutes). I HATE this rule! It simply just doesn’t apply to the majority of whisky. Especially when it’s peated, especially when it’s cask strength, … Continue reading Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1, 6.3, 7.1, & 7.3
The next day after a trip to Finlaggan, the ancient seat of the Lord of the Isles (which I highly recommend to anyone visiting Islay, it’s amazingly cool), we checked out Bruichladdich. After the experiences at the other 3, we expected to get 1-2 drams, explore the distillery a bit, and then head to Kilchoman. instead, after talking to the bartenders for a while, they decided … Continue reading Bryan’s Scotland Trip Part 4 – Bruichladdich
Toronto Whisky Society 