Spirits ArchivistReview: Bruichladdich 20 Year - 3rd Edition
Bruichladdich 20 Year - 3rd Edition - 46%
I hadn't sat down and reviewed any malt for a minute. Fortunately, a buddy sent me a handful of mysteries to knock the rust off before I dig into some scotch reviews. For this series, I share the notes and score with my buddy before he offers the reveal.
Notes: Oxidized wine. Apple. Black cherries and mixed berries. Touch of medicinal menthol. Light peat. Great structure on the palate. Active mid-palate. Port and cherries swell into the grain and smoke. Finish is long and soft - mostly bonfire and grain, but the fruit kicks here and there.
Guess: 11-12 yr. BenRiach single cask port pipe. 52%
Score: 8 (Stash One) This release from 2005 received additional cask enhancement (ACE) of 5 days in a Malmsey Madeira Hogshead. Insane how much influence 5 days had. I wonder if it wasn't a fairly wet cask. The fortified wine notes lead on the nose and pop up all over the palate. So much so, it was easy to miss the well-aged malt notes - although the balanced, soft peat could have also been an age indicator. The structure was also a pleasant surprise - more active than I'd expect for a 46%.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour