A classic dram?
Bruichladdich was founded in 1881 by the Harvey Brothers. The distillery has seen many challenges over the long years of its existence but there seems to be something special about this place on the shores of Loch Indaal. Something which has perhaps helped it to endure where others have fallen.
At the turn of the millennium, the distillery was rescued from closure by a group of investors led by Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin. It was then sold on to Remy Cointreau, leaving it on the firmest of footings for the first time in several years. Today, the Bruichladdich name is renowned and the distillery’s dedication to terroir, provenance and experimentation precedes it. 100% of the barley requirement comes from Scotland, with 25% from Islay itself. The barley is separated by region throughout distillation and is then matured in a wide variety of casks from ex-bourbon and ex-sherry to former wine, rum and port casks.
This sense of experimentation has earned Bruichladdich a reputation as something of a rebel within the Scotch whisky scene. A perception that was done no harm by a surprising run-in with a US-based Anti-Terrorism unit…
Back in 2003, then-owner Mark Reynier was surprised to receive an email from the Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) which politely informed him that one of his distillery webcams was out of order. It seems that somewhere in the USA, the country’s defenses were monitoring the little island of Islay, fearing that some dastardly scheme was afoot and Bruichladdich distillery was being used to produce diabolical chemical weapon. Then again, perhaps someone at the DTRA just enjoyed a wee dram? Naturally, the team at Bruichladdich decided to celebrate the event with the release of a limited edition bottling called the WMD – the Whisky of Mass Distinction.
The Whisky
As for the Classic Laddie, it was originally created by Master Distiller, Jim McEwan, in order to showcase the house style of the Bruichladdich distillery. It has since gone on to become the range’s signature malt.
Bottled at 50% abv, the Classic Laddie is available in the UK for around £40 a bottle.
Smell: Creamy vanilla and fresh fruit with some buttery pastries and white grapes. There’s toffee and fudge, black pepper and a subtle hint of the sea with all the aromas of a damp, stony beach.
Taste: Malty biscuits, vanilla, sea salt and black pepper. A wee touch of new oak. Some apple & pear. Unpeated – but the light coastal influence has a mineral quality that gives the occasional impression of distant Islay peat. It’s an illusion, but it’s something I find in Bruichladdich drams from time to time.
Thoughts: The Classic Laddie must surely be the only ‘entry level’ single malt that’s bottled at 50% ABV? £40 is exceptionally good value for money, taking that into account.
It’s an excellent and undoubtedly popular dram, but due to the vast array of exciting Bruichladdich projects underway at any one time, I still think it’s a bit underrated. The Classic Laddie perhaps seems a bit tame in comparison to the Octomores and Bere Barleys of the world but the truth is, this is probably the best example of the quality that is consistently being produced at this magical wee distillery.
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