Bruichladdich Bere Barley (2006) 

Review by: TOModera

Just received this dram from tvraisedme, and I passed up reviewing a bourbon because I can’t handle being patient with mystery drams. Thanks again mate!

Also he had sent me what it was, so that’s at the bottom. I just realized that, as I have a massive headache (not whisky related) and am not thinking straight.

And how do I figure them out? Well I attempt to use as much fluid intelligence as possible, determining what I can outside what I have done before, and attempt to use crystallized intelligence when tasting.

So let’s see if I can pick anything apart (note: I am bad at this).

Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery.

Bottler: Distillery Bottling.

Region: Islay, Scotland.

ABV: 50%.

Age: 6 years old. Vintage 2006, Bottled 2013.

Cask type: Unknown.

Price: N/A in LCBO

Color: Bone yellow

Based on the colour, there’s no e150. It’s quite pale, so it isn’t too old. I’d guess it’s an IB or from a distillery that brings out lighter drams.

Nose: Orange, tobacco, grape, floral, lemon, pastry dough

Based on the nose, I’d say this is young, though not really young. At first I think Lowland due to the floral notes, however… no, it’s too strong for a Lowland, and has too much more.

Also that tobacco note, with a little bit of funk to it (and not in the good James Brown way) is not fun.

Highland?

Taste: Cookie dough, oily, smoke, lime juice, burn, key lime pie

The cookie dough flavour is quite, and then there’s a acidic, sweet, and somewhat smokey note. Doesn’t do a lot for me.

Not overly complex, though the oily note would tell me it’s not chill filtered (as far as I know). The slight smoke means it’s not a traditional Islay or a Highland.

Finish: Pie crust, cookie, orange-like, butter, ginger, cotton

Nice, tasty finish. No more smoke, however it’s really sweet. Almost cloying. And feels like I have cotton in my mouth.

Tad confused now.

Conclusion: Both my wife and I swear we’ve had something like this before. The taste is almost there, though it is missing something. The nose had an off note, which was too bad, otherwise I’d enjoy it. The finish was a sweet tooth’s delight, and that really saves this dram. I liked it, and now I’m curious what I drank.

Final Score: 77.

Guess: A Bruichladdich or a Highland. It’s IB, not cask strength, between 9-12 years old.

Actually: Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2006  

How close was I? Well, it is a Bruichladdich, so that’s something. Not being an IB, so I was wrong there. I was off on age, as it’s 6 years old, so kudos to Bruichladdich for making a 6 year old taste so complex (great, now I sound like Hannibal).

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

Leave a comment