Bruichladdich 'Islands' Third edition, 20 Years Old

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 53 by Arthur Motley and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Arthur Motley Nose Swimming pools, grass, mint toffees, sulphur (french bangers), mud and wax. Palate Woody with complex underlying sweetness and nut character. A touch sour and burnt (roasted pork), but with syrup to balance it. Finish European tannins and lots of nuttiness. Comment Surely a finish, but I couldn’t quite place the influence, despite it having the malt in a half-nelson. Curious, but I liked it.

Dave Broom Nose Rounded, rich and elegant with a lightly charred nose. Burnt raisin, light prune, fruit cake with a hint of clove, walnut. Good concentration. Palate Well-rounded. A sweet, mellow quality with an intriguing burnt edge. Beech nut. Very soft and subtle with gentle, deep plummy fruits. Starts slightly muted, then the flavours are slowly revealed and keep building. Subtle and elegant. Finish It is, isn’t it? Treacle toffee and cold tea. Comment Old and gentle with a broad smile.