This (mythical) Bruichladdich was tasted as part of Dramfool‘s Brain Tumor Research Charity Tasting. Chatting with others in the tasting, it was clear that many present had been impacted by the effects of Brain Tumors/Cancer. It was a wonderful experience to share these drams with loved ones in mind while supporting future research. Thanks to those who donated the bottles in this tasting, and to Dramfool for yet another exceptional tasting experience (with purpose).
And on to the dram…
Whisky: Bruichladdich 23 Year (1990), Black Art 04.1
Country/Region: Scotland/Islay
ABV: 49.2%
Cask: Various unknown Jim McEwan wizardry
Age: 23 Years (Distilled 1990, Bottled 2013)
Nose: Sherry bomb. Funk. Old attic. Sweet candies. Lactic.
Palate: Stew every kind of candy and sweet in your mouth all at once. Strawberry. Raspberry. Blackberry. Cherry. Leather. Wine. Sweeties. Cream. Lactic. Herbal. Spice. Oily and thick.
Finish: Bark. Biscuit. Stewed fruits and jam. Mint. Dry, but somehow juicy. Juicy fruit. Perfume and fragrance. A touch of peat?
Score: 9
Mental Image: Everything everywhere all at once.
Narrative: Wow. Remarkable. I tasted this blind, so I did not have the mythical reputation of this bottle influencing me. Even if I did… Every sniff, sip, and second reveals new smells and flavors. New memories. I can smell and taste this again as I type it. The evolution of the experience. A bottle wouldn’t be enough. While there was so much going on, it’s never overwhelming. But it could ride that line, pulling you along for an exhilarating experience. Transcendentally complex. Like watching your life flash before your eyes as you wait to die in a split moment. But the moments keep coming. Just how many will you get? You don’t know, but it keeps flashing and you know there’s one more precious moment.
I’d love to rate this a 10. It’s so close to perfection. But I wish it were bigger and fuller. The finish was just shy of perfect. Getting a tease of that Port Charlotte Funk, I wished for a bit more. It’s everything everywhere all at once, but little bits and pieces of wanting more. Perhaps that wanting is what makes this so remarkable and memorable. Just stringing you along. It’s a masterpiece.