Bruichladdich 10 Year Old The Laddie Ten

The decision to mothball Connosr has spurred me to try to get in a few more long-planned reviews while I still can. On April 14 I recorded tasting notes for 5 Bruichladdichs that I’ve had on hand for a very long time (one is a sample). This one is number three.

Not long after the revival of the Bruichladdich distillery and the early releases like the Laddie Classic, the first 10 YO age-stated expression was released. It was a hit. Of course, I purchased a bottle (in 2012), but never got around to opening it. In 2014, we heard that the distillery did not have enough stocks to continue the 10 YO, and in a fit of FORO I bought another bottle. That is the bottle I (finally) opened (in 2018). It is currently about half full and gassed after each pour.

This expression is reviewed in my usual manner in a standard Glencairn, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 21.5/25

Dry (less sweet) on first impression. Some brightness with time. Green apple. There is a dustiness to it. Faint baking spices. Water makes the nose sweeter and fruitier, with a hint of caramel. (22/25)

Taste: 21.5/25

Sweet arrival. Rich. Spicy. Slightly effervescent. Some pepper in the development. Slight hint of menthol. Water adds to the spice level of the palate. (22/25)

Finish: 22/25

Peppery spicy finish.

Balance: 22/25

Fairly balanced. Overall not too complex, but carries the Bruichladdich signature clearly.

Score: Neat - 87 /100 With Water: 88 /100

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Compared to the original 10, the nose of the second edition is sweeter and more syrupy. Similarly the palate is much sweeter in the second edition. The original 10 takes water well but the second edition does not do well with it. Both have the classic Bruichladdich signature.

Having tasted four solid Bruichladdich expressions at the same sitting, it was almost mandatory that I pour all the contents into a single glass and see what I get.

On the nose, fruits, some spices, a hint of syrup. On the palate, very full flavoured., fruity and peppery. This is very much a good marriage of the sum of its parts. I guess this is because they all have at their core a very solid, high quality, distinctive Bruichladdich distillate.

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Typical of many of the early Bruichladdich releases, this is a solid whisky. I would be happy to accept this if offered at a party, and I’m glad I have a spare put away for another day or for my grandchildren. I hope they will one day sip this spirit while reading these notes in the eternal archive that is the internet.

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