Bruichladdich 10 Year Old The Laddie Ten

The Laddie Ten is called "unpeated" because no peat smoke is used to dry the barley. There is substantial peat present in the water used to make the whisky. The reviewed bottle has been open for 2 months and is 50% full. The body is medium and somewhat oily

This review will be in non-sequential format (SQVH). For further information on this format see my review of Royal Canadian Small Batch

Strength: strong flavours of barley-malt; moderate intensity of gentle peat is an underlying presence in the water used. Flavours from wood are not pronounced, but are subtle, and mostly in the background. Score 23/25

Quality: the flavours from the malted barley in The Laddie Ten are some of the most delicious which you will ever taste. They are grassy, like newly mown hay, citrusy, and have a nice hint of a floral touch. These malt flavours are bracing, refreshing, and thoroughly engaging. The peat in the water used is gentle and delicious. Wood flavours are not prominent, but those present are of very good quality. Score 24/25

Variety: there is not a lot of variety in the flavours here. There is flavour from the barley-malt, and a strong undercurrent of peat in the water. The wood plays a quiet supporting role. Score 20/25

Harmony: this is a simple harmony, but a delightful one. The barley sings a strong and clear song, while the peat accompanies as would a pianist accompany a singer. The accompaniment here provides more a counterpoint of different notes from the barley song, but together they make a very nice harmony. The wood is more like gentle strumming from a stringed bass Score 23/25

Closing comment: The Laddie Ten is one of those whiskies which I like even better than the 90 review score would indicate. Why? Because this is a rather simple whisky with respect to the variety of flavours presented, and it is only sometimes that I will seek out complexity and variety in my whisky experience. For the pure quality of the flavours presented, this is one of my very favourite whiskies

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