Bruichladdich – Old Skool 10 Year Old (50%)

Old Skool is a 10 year old single malt marking Bruichladdich's 25th anniversary, the first of three limited releases celebrating the distillery's reopening in 2001. It is distilled entirely from barley grown by 14 local Islay farms, in the distillery's unpeated house style. Maturation is mainly in first-fill bourbon casks, with a small parcel of first-fill Sauternes. It is bottled at 50%, non-chill filtered and with natural colour, under a retro label inspired by Bruichladdich's own 1980s bottlings. The nose offers apricot, nectarine and red plum with vanilla custard, barley sugar, orange blossom, a little coastal salinity and a hint of coconut. The palate is full and slightly oily, with stone fruit and crème caramel. The finish is rounded and warming.