Bruichladdich – 2011/2021 10 Year Old Bere Barley (70cl, 50%)

This is a 10 year old Bruichladdich in a 70cl bottle, made from Bere barley, an old six-row variety harvested on Orkney in 2010. The unpeated malt was distilled on Islay in 2011 and matured there in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks that previously held Jim Beam, Jack Daniels and Clermont Springs. It was bottled in 2021 at 50%, without chill-filtration or added colour. The nose is oily and malty, with green apple, lime, grapefruit and white blossom, then apricot jam and a hint of mint. The palate is creamy and clearly barley-led, with pear, peach, banana chips, malty bread, chocolate and vanilla. The long finish brings lemon, salt and sea freshness, with mineral and nutmeg notes.