Whisky Sponge’s 3rd Bruichladdich offering – and the oldest of the bunch so far. A 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel left quietly since 2001 and bottled at 50.9%. A mere 161 bottles from this cask – all sold to either fans of the distillery (and it’s older inclinations) or star children – take your pick.
Nose: A solera ice cream with apricot, greengage, dried banana slices and dragonfruit. Vibrant. Chamois leather and axle grease join sunflower oil whilst golden syrup gives a lift to old damp wood and puff of peat smoke at a distance of 50 yards. Dilution expresses peach posset and vanilla pods with an very old school dustiness.
Taste: Oils, greases and age. Juicy fruits – apple, melon, lychee and peach – straddle hot house vines and leafy smoke (still yards away) whilst light chilli pepper and char receive some zestiness from orange peels. Reduction offers herbal basil leaf alongside dry earthiness and dusty cellars.
Finish: Medium to long with mint leaves and crumbled biscuits sitting with dried reeds and vines.
Edition 49 marries a sense of elegance with an archetypal older styling Laddie character whilst keeping everything in check throughout. Notably expensive, but notably excellent all the same.