Bruichladdich 2005 Whisky Broker 13 yo c. 1412

 

 

 

64,7°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Whiskybroker Ltd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Whiskybroker is first and foremost an online site that was founded in 2010 with the aim of providing clubs and connoisseurs with the opportunity to buy and bottle in bulk. In addition, they regularly produce their own bottlings, with a very understated presentation and low costs to provide affordable independent alternatives. Here we have a series of Bruichladdich casks distilled in 2005, of which there are 8 that I know of, and all were bottled between 2015 and 2019, including 4 between 31 October and 5 November 2018. This one was emptied on 1 November, it is not known how many bottles were drawn from it, and it went on sale in the final days of the year. It doesn't mention anywhere that it's a Sherry cask, but it's obvious as soon as you taste it, I'd even be willing to bet on an Oloroso.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Cerealy sherry, with fresh, barely cut wood. Caramelised resin. Rhubarb compote, with pieces in it. A pinch of earth between the grooves in the wood, some bark. Varnish, encaustic. Red plums, greengages. Shortbread biscuit, apple crumble, sprinkled with cinnamon of course. Genoise, meringue and whipped cream. After a while it becomes sweeter, ethereal, a hint of vanilla, iodine, then more earthy. Humus. On the palate, it's oily, soft caramel, the fruits stand out. I must say that you can hardly smell the alcohol. Apricots and quinces. Then some fairly explosive spices. Cumin, paprika, nutmeg. A hint of salted butter. Toffee. At the end the woodiness is really intense, not far from bitterness. The finish is quite long, not as brutal as I'd expected. Wheat cob, roasted corn kernels, more wood, macchiato coffee, cocoa powder. Clove.

 

In Short, 

Here's one I liked right from the start. It was a wonderful experience, an excellent Christmas whisky. First an apple dessert with whipped cream, meringue, cinnamon and genoise, followed by the intensity of young, fresh wood. The finish was long and sweet, with coffee, The alcohol was very well integrated. The selling price is quite decent. Of course, this wine has been sold out for a long time, but with a bit of luck you can find it at auctions, so if that happens to me, I'll jump at the chance.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Harry Styles - Sign of the Times

Octomore 2009 Friends of Bruichladdich 11 yo

 

 

 

65,2°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

Syrah Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Whiskybroker Ltd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

 

 

 

The administrators of the Facebook page "Friends of Bruichladdich" took the initiative for this bottling. From what I understand, they partnered with the English bottler Whiskybroker, and they found this rare Syrah cask distilled in 2009. The Octomore 07.2 was distilled around the same time and followed a similar maturation process, but was bottled much earlier. So here we have a rare old Octomore, unfortunately the number of bottles produced and the peat content are not known.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

First a thick smoke, like a sticky fog. Very quickly, the red fruits make their way through. Morello cherries, blueberries. Heavy and juicy, syrupy. Then a violent peat, maritime, with seaweed. The fruit becomes softer, sweeter, raspberries, chocolate strawberries. Slight fruit acidity, gooseberries, yellow apples. Precious wood, varnish. Wild cherry, walnut. Tinder. It is nevertheless a bit spirity and iodized. Damp, fertile earth. Velvety mouth, cherry skin, silky, then some spices, cumin, white pepper. Tapioca, coconut. But it is above all woody, earthy, tarry, with black plum. Coffee beans. Quite a long, fresh, gravelly finish, with peppermint. Parsley, coriander, cloves. Chicory. Heather. A touch of orange zest.

 

In Short, 

An excellent Octomore, one of the best I have tasted, I put it third behind the 10 years 3rd edition and the 08.3. Only flaw: it is still a little spirity, but you can add a little water to calm the beast. Otherwise it is an explosion of fruits on thick peat, exactly what we expect from Octomore, and at the same time very subtle. Curiously, now that this bottling is completely sold out, we don't find it on the auction sites, apparently those who were lucky enough to have it do not try to resell it, having tasted the nectar I know why. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           I am Wolves - I'm not Dead