Bruichladdich 11 Rivesaltes Dramfool

Review by: Raygun

Distilled September 8, 2010, matured for 11 years in a Rivesaltes barrique, and bottled on April 11, 2022 by Dramfool. 299 bottles. Never come across any other distillery using Rivesaltes casks, but Bruichladdich makes some tasty stuff with them. Rested about 10 minutes. Reviewed from a sample thanks to Whiskery Turnip.

Distillery: Bruichladdich

Bottler: Dramfool

Region/style: Islay single malt Scotch

ABV: 61.8%. Cask strength

Age: 11 years. Distilled on September 8, 2010. Bottled on April 11, 2021.

Cask type: Rivesaltes barrique

Color: 1.8, old oak. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Oh my. Cherry preserves, mushrooms, leather, and beef stock. Looks like cola in the glass and smells like it, too. Gets more mushroomy over time.

Palate: Wow. Basically no heat. I’d never guess this is almost 62%. Strawberry preserves along with the cherry. Like cherry cola. Tomato paste, mushroom broth, and some sweet bean paste. Has a touch of spice to it, like mole sauce.

Finish: Some woodsy flavor, like thyme. Goes nicely with the fruit and sweet flavors. Demiglace. Not quite as earthy. More tomato and sweet bean paste. More cola comes out. Water intensifies the cola to ridiculous levels.

Conclusion: Great. Far as I remember, the only other Rivesaltes cask I had was also Bruichladdich. Should be more common. Unpeated Laddie isn’t always my favorite, but these work so well. A very distinctive set of flavors. This drank incredibly easily for being so strong. A winner.

Buy a bottle? Would love one, but I imagine they’re gone by now.

Final Score: 88

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
  • 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

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