Bruichladdich 3D3 Third Edition Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Volume: 700ml ABV: 46% Age: No Age Statement Country: Scotland
Built in 1881 when puffer-supplied coal was available as an alternative fuel to local peat, it is likely that Bruichladdich was specifically designed to produce the purest unpeated spirit possible. The great Alfred Barnard supports this view with a tantalising clue – the Laddie is the only distillery on Islay that he does not describe as drying its malt using peat in his fascinating exploration of the island’s distilleries in 1885. Sadly, none of that 19th century spirit survives, but the original Victorian machinery has allowed an unparalleled legacy of craft distilling to trickle down through the generations of men who make this sophisticated Islay dram. It was in 1994 that the Bruichladdich distillery closed for a significant period of time. No one knew if this modern distillery would reopen its doors and see spirits start to flow through the stills again. A period in the whisky industry that will not be forgotten for years to come.
Using barrels from 3 different warehouses, choosing 3 different vintages and selecting spirit at 3 different peating levels this heavily peated Bruichladdich was created. The 3D3 contains three malts – Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore – at three different ages, and is the most heavily-peated of the 3D releases. “Following the success of 3D2 Moine Mhor – I decided that the new recipe for my friend Norries’s tribute bottling should be the most heavily peated of the serieswith more passion, warmth and personality to reflect the character of Islay’s last traditional peat cutter who supplied all the great Islay malt distillers with peat until the advance of the machinery used today. Lord help the angels when Norrie comes knocking on heavens door” – Jim McEwan
Our Tasting Notes
Nose: Cured meat and light peat. Dried apricots with a hint of menthol.
Taste: Herbaceous with a slight bitterness. Rock candy, red fruit and vanilla.
Finish: Pleasant lingering smoke and pepper.