Review by: Raygun

Bruichladdich has done a number of these limited releases in different sorts of casks, which are indicated by the initials. Best I can remember, I’ve tried CC, MC, MRC, and SC up to this point. In this case we have another red cask like MRC, this time from Pauillac, also in Bordeaux. Rested about 15 minutes. Notes from fully blind tasting, with reveal after. Reviewed from a sample.

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Distillery: Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte)

Bottler: Bruichladdich 

Region/style: Islay single malt whisky

ABV: 56.1% 

Age: 8 years. Distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2021. Which should be at least nine years by my math, but for someone reason it’s listed as eight years. 

Cask type: Six years in American oak, then finished in red wine casks from Pauillac.

Color: 1.1 burnished. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

Price: Around $130

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Nose: Definitely peated. Not getting Laphroaig or Ardbeg vibes. Some berries and wet earth. Very foresty. There’s a meaty, beef Bourgogne aspect to it, though maybe that’s wine scents playing tricks on me. Picking up a little flint, too.  

Palate: Color and nose both implied it wasn’t a bourbon cask, and the palate makes it certain. But not sherry, I don’t think. Leans fresh berries more than dried, and there’s a certain earthiness, but not the mustiness of oloroso. Thinking a red wine cask, likely a dry table wine. Raspberry jam and a hint of dark chocolate. Balsamic vinegar. Has a nice weight to it. 

Finish: Not very oaky, but there’s a woody flavor like thyme. Berry jam, earth, and a touch of chocolate. Comes across as somewhat meaty here, like demiglace. Or beef stew again. Balsamic vinegar. Well integrated. Didn’t get much heat on the palate, nor here. Good length.  

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Guess: Peated red wine immediately brings to mind a few possibilities: Port Charlotte, Longrow, and Ballechin, with Benriach an outside possibility. Don’t think it’s very old, which fits with the first three. I’m leaning Islay though, and so I’ll go with Port Charlotte. Around 10 years, red wine cask, and low 50s ABV.  

Conclusion: Very good. Unpeated Laddie isn’t always my jam, and I can’t say Port Charlotte always works for me, but more often. They do know how to use wine casks, and this is a great example. The wine flavor is unmistakable, and integrates very well with the peat. Woody, fruity, and savory, with a nice level of umami. Better than the recent Longrow Reds I’ve had. Very tasty. 

Post-reveal thoughts: Just about nailed it. To be fair, peat already narrows it down, and when you bring in wine casks, there aren’t that many things it could plausibly be. Assuming no one is going to blind me with a distillery exclusive or Feis Ile special release or something obscure like that. 
Buy a bottle? This is a nice one, though maybe a bit steep.

Score: 86

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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)