Bruichladdich – Bere Barley 2013 (70cl, 50%)

Bruichladdich Bere Barley is an Islay single malt made from Bere, a six-row heritage barley variety whose roots in Scottish agriculture go back some 4,500 years. It was once a staple grain, used for beer, bannocks and bread. This bottling was distilled in 2012 from the 2011 harvest and matured in ex-bourbon and American oak casks. It is bottled at 50% in a 70cl bottle. The nose is cereal, porridge oats and malt, followed by ripe pear, peaches in syrup and lemon meringue pie, with honey, vanilla, coconut, cinder toffee and fudge from the oak. The finish stays soft and fruity, with pear, apple and peach.