Bruichladdich – The Classic Laddie (70cl, 50%)

The Classic Laddie is Bruichladdich's unpeated house bottling, made from Scottish barley and bottled at 50% without chill-filtration or added colour. It is matured and bottled on Islay. The recipe is put together afresh for each batch from different vintages and cask types. On average it draws on 76 casks, four distillation years, three barley categories and seven cask types, though individual batches can differ. The nose shows barley sugar and a touch of mint, then wildflowers and sea spray. With time and a little water, caramelised fruit, lemon sweets, honey and mandarin appear. The palate is fine and fresh, with sweet oak, barley, ripe green fruit, brown sugar and sweet malt. The finish is soft and rounded, with lively fruit and light sea spray.