Bruichladdich – The Laddie Eight 8 Year Old (70cl, 50%)

The Laddie Eight is an 8 year old single malt from Bruichladdich on Islay, bottled at 50% in a 70cl bottle. It is made from unpeated spirit and developed by Adam Hannett, and it is non-chill-filtered and of natural colour. It matures in warehouses on the shore of Loch Indaal and is a marriage of whiskies of different ages from the distillery, all made with Scottish barley. The nose is fresh apples and pears, then pear drops, apricots and pineapple in syrup, with vanilla, oak and malt. The palate opens with pepper before mango, peach, honey and toffee, with a creamy, buttery texture. The long finish keeps a maritime freshness, heather honey and citrus, with vanilla lingering.