Bruichladdich Port Cask Matured 7YO (2003)

Nose starts off quite buttery and slightly creamy before a whack of raisins hits. A bit of toffee, and some minty chocolate hints. Sultanas and dried fruit in abundance. A proper fruit pudding with cream.

Initially I get a bit of white chocolate on the palate and then some mint along with cinder toffee. Fruitiness is there but not as strongly as on the nose. This might sound like quite a sweet malt but it actually isn't, at least not compared to a floral Speysider. It does have a pleasantly smooth, creamy mouthfeel however.

The finish, whilst OK is probably the weakest part - a bit of fruit mixed with a fairly bitter edge. Fairly short - I would say this is the only suggestion of its relative youth.

Bruichladdich at one point did become (in)famous for their OTT 'ACE'ing of whiskies and I have tried a couple where the flavours did not mesh at all. This one however is a very pleasant drink and apart from the finish it's hard to believe it is only aged 7.

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