Bruichladdich – The Laddie 18 Year Old (70cl, 50%)

The Laddie Eighteen is an 18-year-old unpeated Islay single malt from Bruichladdich, matured entirely on the island. It is bottled at 50% in a 70cl bottle, non-chill-filtered and of natural colour. The core of the whisky comes from ex-bourbon casks, with smaller parts from Sauternes and port casks. The marrying took place over nine months before bottling. The barley combines Bruichladdich's first own Islay harvest, from 2004, with organically grown and other Scottish barley. The nose has ripe peach, honeysuckle, violet and lavender, with vanilla, coconut cream, melon, apricot, citrus and crème brûlée. The palate is dense and oily, with honey, butterscotch, tropical fruit, toasted oak and a touch of leather. The finish is mineral, with oak, stone fruit and a delicate floral note.