DSC08915DSC08928It was on West Queen West at The Tempered Room during #TasteofScotland that I first met a whiskey made of barley for the first time. It was a chilly and wet evening. Clustered in a room surrounded by bottles of Bruichladdich (BROOK-laddie) felt about right as the usual lasting whisky warmth had us comforted from the very start.

Bruichladdich produces Scottish single malt whisky, with it’s distillery located on the Hebridean Island of Islay. The distillery certainly takes a different approach to the journey of soil to bottle. This introduction gave me a similiar feeling to Bonterra Wines, truly focusing on it’s roots. A lot like wine varietals, Bruichladdich takes the route of environmental focus, looking into the terrior that contribute to it’s overall characteristics.

We believe that Islay Whisky should have an authenticity derived from where it is distilled and where it is matured… from the philosophies of those who distil it. A sense of place, of terroir that speaks of the land, the barley and water from which it was made, and of the human soul that gave it life.

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I admire this Whisky as it is true to local sourcing and provides a 360 flow with emphasis of both producing and growing within the Islay community. I’d be lying if I said the bright signature Tiffany blue was not the first tug of my heartstrings. With my first sip of heavy-weight Port Charlotte – a peat so heavy, that the product could be moved within your fingertips before it disappears. The appreciation of the taste was tied together with my knowledge of the artisanally crafted single malt whisky and a taste of the heavy-weight Port Charlotte. I loved more, the description that the ‘mood’ of the whisky brings: It cries “freedom”. You are in a good place and you envy no man. You feel alive and ready for whatever lies ahead, knowing that the true spirit of Islay is with you.

At the other end of complexity, I brought home the Islay Barley 2009. Barley from this bottle comes from centrally located Claggan, Cruach, Island & Mulindry Farms and matured in American oak – a common theme throughout these Whiskys – it’s also a 50% ABV. A younger, citrus first waft dominates the palate, you approach the vanilla tastes and have a lasting finish of honey sweetness. The characteristics chirp Summertime sips for me.

Visit Bruichladdich, and see their selections.
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 Thanks to Halo PR for having me by!

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