Bruichladdich Links

by **Tyson** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:14 am

Anyone tried the "Links" series from Bruichladdich? I recently acquired a bottle and I must say it is one of the best whisky's I've had. Combines the golden honey and malty flavors of a good highland scotch with a secondary (firm) note of (specfically) Laphroaig style peatiness, with a nice peat/oak finish. Not quite at the level of the Ardbeg 1977 (my favorite whisky), but suprisingly close.

by **Crispy Critter** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:18 am

Which one did you get? There are more than one in the series...

The only bottlings from 'Laddie that I've had have been a 15yo (which I drained long ago) and the first-edition 3D (open). Both have been superb, but very different from one another.

by **Deactivated Member** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:37 am

Links! Man, I wonder if my posts are given less weight around here because of my infrequent posting?

Oops, sorry! :oops:

Just yanking your chain, Tyson. I've had the St Andrews, which I thought was marvelous, and the Augusta, the first dram of which was very unpleasantly soapy; after it had been open for a bit, it was much better, but with a strongly salty finish. Nowhere near as good as the St A, but okay.

Thirstin' Howell at Federal W&S in Boston, who attended the Islay Festival and Bruichladdich Academy a few weeks ago, told me that he witnessed Jim McEwen telling a roomful of people that the St A and the Augusta were exactly the same. No one had the nerve to contradict him.

by **Lawrence** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:29 pm

I had a few drams last night and on the way home, since I was 'invincable' I stopped in at my favourite local whisky shop and bought a bottle of Bruichladdich Links, Royal Troon 14 years old.

Has anybody tried it?

My head hurts, but only slightly. :cry:

by **Deactivated Member** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:52 pm

I'm not sure I'd want to put the name "Swilcan" on one of my company's tins.

As LFW points out, this not actually one of the Links series; the vatting isn't in the same vein at all. Also, Swilcan Bridge is on the St Andrews Old Course, and they already did that. But it looks interesting, and reasonably priced, as well.

Have you had other Links, Lawrence? Supposedly two of them are the same--just not the two McEwen told a roomful of people. I'd guess the St A and the Troon.

by **Tyson** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:45 am

Teachers! Oh wait, I think I already posted that.....

The bottle I had was the Augusta, but I plan on picking up the St. Andrew bottling soon (right after I pick up the 3D).

by **Lawrence** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:15 am

Tattiehead, this is my first Links bottling and I have no expectations so I should be happy.

by **MGillespie** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:38 am

I have the Augusta version on my shelf, but have yet to open it. Kept it on the "golf porn" shelf in my office for a few months, but brought it home so the bosses wouldn't go ballistic...

by **Deactivated Member** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:30 am

Those of you with the St A and Troon will be, I think, immediately happy. The Augusta needs to breathe a bit.