Bruichladdich just released three 10 yo bottlings of their different whisky brands and sent me a set of samples to taste.
Probably the most important bottling is the reborn Laddie Ten. There were many sad voices when the old one was discontinued, and rightly so because it was excellent.
Then there is a new PC10 from Port Charlotte and a new bottling of Octomore 10.
Bruichladdich Laddie Ten Second Edition
“Bourbon, Sherry, French wine” – 50%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Dark gold
Nose: Stewed apples, toasted hazelnuts, vanilla, hints of liquorice and nutmeg.
Palate: Stewed apples, orange zest, honey, vanilla, hints of Earl Grey tea, nutmeg and white pepper.
Finish: Long, fruity and slightly spicy.
Overall: The ABV has been increased to a generous 50% but even more so has the price, so this is not the bargain anymore it used to be. But the Laddie Ten remains a very good whisky with lots of flavours to explore without being too complicated.
Rating: 87/100 – Price tag: ~£50
Port Charlotte PC 10 Second Edition
“Sherry, Tempranillo, French wine” – 40 ppm – 50%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Medium gold
Nose: Light maritime smoke, the faintest hint of banana, vanilla, cloves, hints of mace.
Palate: Medium peat, stewed apples, banana, vanilla, hints of cloves, cardamom and pepper.
Finish: Long, smoky and slightly spicy.
Overall: This is less thick, oily and spicy but more “civilised” and fruity than other Port Charlottes I have tasted. Which is bit of a pity because I loved that style. The new bottling feels much more like a peated version of the Laddie Ten than like something completely different. The quality is still very high, though, only the character has changed.
Rating: 87/100 – Price tag: ~£55
Octomore 10 Second Edition
“Bourbon, Grenache Blanc” – 167 ppm – 57.3%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Dark gold
Nose: Not very strong actually with surprisingly little smoke, liquorice, vanilla, hints od mixed spices. Water adds some maritime freshness.
Palate: Strong but not very strong peat, sweet apples, orange zest, honey, cloves, allspice, black pepper.
Finish: Long, smoky and slightly spicy.
Overall: Again, the Laddie DNA is well visible here, only the peat level has been ramped up a few more notches. I can imagine that some hardcore peatheads will be disappointed by its relative mildness; it is an execptionally well rounded expression. This is probably my favourite Octomore, but I haven’t tasted them all.
Rating: 90/100 – Price tag: ~£150
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