WeeDrammers in May

The full contingent of WeeDrammers met at Brian S. on Tuesday May 27 to indulge two more single malts, numbers 190 and 191 on our quest. Both Islay drams, each presented a simple and very pleasant representation of whiskies from the region.

First up was the Bruichladdich The Organic 2009.  Bruichladdich distillery was built in 1881 by the Harvey Brothers, who also owned the Dundashill and Yoker distilleries in Glasgow. At the time of its construction, the plant was of ultra-modern design, arranged practically around a central courtyard with production flowing from one building to the next. Nowadays, however, the place has something of an antique quality to it, giving the impression that little has changed since its creation almost 140 years ago.

Bruichladdich clings to the coastline on the blustery Rhinns peninsula on Islay’s western coast with the lashing rain and howling wind only serving to make the visitor centre seem all the more welcoming.

Bruichladdich Organic 09 whisky uses entirely organic Scottish barley, derived solely from the 2008 harvest of Mid Coul farm. The distillery’s  aim is to pay homage to the whiskies made before the Industrial Age, before the advent of pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilisers. This single malt has been aged for eight years in ex-bourbon and Tennessee whiskey casks, and has notes of candied citrus, marine spice and creamy barley.

Tasting Notes (compliments of the folks at Masters of Malt

• Nose – Melted butter, salt and pepper crisps, sweet pastries.
• Palate – White chocolate fudge, lemon peel, vanilla and brown sugar.
• Finish – Citrus notes become more orange-based, with continued vanilla barley.

Master Malt concludes “Nothing too flashy this time around, just good, honest, barley-centric whisky.”

Available at Broadmead Liquor for $120.00.  ABV 50%

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Brian’s second choice was a stunning expression from Islay’s Ardbeg distillery on the Kildalton Coast, Ardbeg Uigeadail ( Oog-a-dal) a dram named after a nearby loch (pronounced “Oog-a-dal”). It’s the perfect example of how sweet and savoury notes can work together spectacularly.  Master Malt says, “you’ll find Ardbeg’s maritime salinity intact here, combined with dried fruit notes imparted by time spent in sherry casks.” It is  “kind of like when you mix sweet popcorn and salty popcorn together”.  it results in something absolutely wonderful.

Tasting Note

• Nose – Multifaceted, notes of peat and little flourishes of dark sugar, freshly ground espresso beans, cereal notes and a most sophisticated tar.
• Palate – Led by sweet, ripe fruit and black forest honey. A good helping of malt. The throne then usurped by a powerful peat and smoked barley.
• Finish – Very long, caramel and malt weave their way through peat smoke and dark sugar and just a hint of fresh espresso coffee before it finally peters out.

Available at BCLiquor.  $160.00 ABV 54.2%

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Two wonderful choices.  Another fine tasting and gathering of the group.  Thanks Brian.