Agave Spirits+ Journey

Bruichladdich’s The Classic Laddie – Scottish Barley is produced at the distillery located in the Rinns of the island of Islay.  Islay is part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago off of Scotland’s western coastline.  Unlike the bulk of Bruichladdich’s releases, The Classic Laddie is unpeated.  Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) with no added coloring and non-chill filtered, it is made from 100% organic Scottish barley grown in Inverness-shire grown near the distillery’s malting partners, Bairds.  The barley is grown on single farms that change depending on the time of the year.  The final product is a blend from “up to” 76 different casks “comprising” four vintages and seven different cask types.  The scotch is then brought to bottling proof using three different water sources, all located within two miles of Bruichladdich – An Toran, the distillery’s own reservoir, and natural spring water.

It is possible to find out more details on one’s specific bottle by entering the batch code on the bottle on the distillery’s website. My bottle is from Batch 24/011. My batch was aged in mostly first and second fill casks including those formerly used for bourbon and a variety of Spanish and French wine casks including from/for Ribero del Duero (Tempranillo), Bourdeaux Pauillac (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, & Merlot), and Rhone (Syrah and Grenache). The ex-bourbon barrels used are sourced from Jack Daniel’s, Heaven Hill, and Jim Beam. Other batches use other types of ex-wine casks including those for Madeira, Rivesaltes, Sauternes, different sherries, and Mourvèdre.

COLOR: Light Yellow

NOSE: Sweet orchard fruits (juicy apples) with citrus & honey; Sweet malt; Oak; Salinity (like a sea mist); some light caramel & vanilla; light herbal note

PALATE: Creamy; Orchard fruit-forward with citrus (like an orange); Honeyed fruitiness; Sweet malt mixed with Oak tannins; Black pepper; Caramel & vanilla; Dark caramelized sugar notes; Salinity

MOUTHFEEL: Medium (pretty creamy)

FINISH: Medium-long (7-10 seconds)

VALUE:  One of my “Milestone Whiskies” – fantastic sipper at a good price point

ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN?  Yes. 

______________

1792 Bourbon Agave Spirits American Single Malts American Whisky ArteNOM Añejo Tequila Blanco Tequila Blended Whisky Bourbon Whisky Bruichladdich Buffalo Trace Cocktails Código 1530 (Codigo 1530) Dulce Vida E.H. Taylor Elijah Craig El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila Four Roses Gin Glassware Glenlivet Irish Whisky Limestone Branch Distillery Liqueurs Lost Lore Maker's Mark Mezcal Mijenta Mt. Defiance Distillery Patrón Penelope Reposado Tequila Reviews Rye Whisky Scotch Whisky Siempre Single Malt Whisky Spirits Tequila Tequila Ocho Tequila Partida Virginia Virginia Distillery Company Whisky