Bruichladdich 12 Year (2009), Rest & Be Thankful
Wine Cask #3044
58.9%
Nose: Nutty vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and molasses. There’s a (dark, eg cherry) fruit note that reminds me of a drier, slightly bitter madeira. A touch of Laddie if you’re looking for it.
Palate: Somewhat full, juicy, but not quite big. A touch of heat. It’s somehow full while being lighter in character than the nose implies. More like strawberry jam than stewed cherry. Contrasted with cloves and chocolate. A hint of earth and herbs. Graphite.
Finish: A little syrupy. A bit hot. Waft of sherry legs after finishing a glass. Nutty, old fruits (darker again), acidic. Faint Laddie character. I swear I get a little smoke and graphite.
Score: 4/5
Mental Image: A sentimental place grown too familiar.
Laddie character is faintly there in waves and wafts. Leans a touch too simple sherry bomb, but offers glimpses into decadent complexity. A little too spirited, though it is well integrated. It hints at greatness, but not quite there. There’s a lot to contemplate here if I try, but I also find myself just sipping through it like a pretty solid sherried dram if I don’t.