Bruichladdich, pretty vertical

Yesterday got together with Abi, brand ambassador for Bruichladdich, and a few other friends and clients at one of my favorite whisky shops in London for a bit of tasting and banter. Won't do any comprehensive review now, but thought I'd share a few notes and observations -

Bruichladdich Classic laddie: the iconic turquoise bottle. 50% ABV. It's nice... but that's about it I think. Pretty non-offensive, barley sweetness, pretty warming and... ok. Steal the white pepper from a Talisker and replace it with non-sherry sweetness, was what came to my mind. I would be glad if someone gifted it to me, but I wouldn't buy it. B

Bruichladdich Islay barley (unpeated, not to be confused with the peated Port Charlotte with the same denomination): Now, this is a different cattle of fish. A lot more sweet/savory than the Classic. Despite being the same ABV, this one felt like the former, but with the volume increased quite a bit. Pretty oily and nice viscosity - take this one any day over the Classic. Long lingering salt on the finish, but more finely ground salt a la Talisker, rather than coarse salt a la Kilkerran.

Bruichladdich Bere barley: I like the story of the Bere barley strain, being the oldest there is. But, taste wise, this one wasn't for me. Strong similarities with the previous two, but a lot more husky / farmy notes and less sweetness and intensity than the Islay barley. So far, islay barley is still the best.

Port Charlotte 10: Essentially, islay barley with smoke and peat. However, I noted it as a rather different peat than I have so far... whereas I'd say Caol Ila is dry soot... Ardbeg is wet smoke... and Lagavulin is more medicinal and TCP-ish than smokey, with this I really understand what people mean when they speak of a smoldering campfire. Heck, you could see the bright red smoldering of the charcoal. I'd put this one on par with the islay barley in terms of the experience, up to you if you wanna go with the smoky or non-smoky experience. Quite a long finish with that lingering salty sweetness...

Port Charlotte MRC:01: Oh, WOW! I tried this once before it was officially out and was impressed, and the same last night. Bourbon cask and wine cask, and then finished for 12 months in Chateau Mount Rothchild casks. Enters gently... and then literally explodes in taste. Complex, with lots going on. Sweet, pretty tannic on the palate, moving into a finish that maintains the sweetness, and then hits you with the tannins.... a lot! Like sucking on a lemon and then having a spoonful of peanut butter, followed by wiping the inside of your mouth with kitchen paper. Oh, well, I might have wished it a bit less tannic, but still the best so far of the drams sampled.

Octomore 9.1.: the disappointment of the evening. Is it bad? No, it is not. It is a very young bourbon matured expression (5 years) served up at cask strength with some serious alco-burn, and more than a little smoky (167ppm if I recall, vs the PC's 40ppm (Ardbeg I believe is around 50-55, and Laphroaig 30-35). So, yes, ok... interesting and not bad. But no way I'd ever fork out £130 for this.

Octomore 10 Dialogos: Oh.... I see... NOW I understand what's the big deal here with the Octomores. This one was pretty fantastic. Thick, oily without being syrupy. Intensely smokey, without overshadowing the complex mix of wine, cognac and bourbon casks. Cask strength, but not hot like the 9.1. It's still pretty costly at around £150, but if you want to splurge but make sure you get an experience corresponding to your investment, I'd say this one comes pretty close! Best of the evening, followed by MRC:01.

Finally, a dram (well, not really, more like a big sip) of the islay barley base distillate. Pretty drinkable in fact, if anything reminded me of the Brazilian cachaca 'Pitu' with which I made frequent acquaintance when I lived in Rio!

that was a LONG post, send a message for more details and taste notes if so desires.