"The First ever 18 year old is released on August 15th - the newest addition to the Bruichladdich core range, sporting a smart new livery.
The unique bottling, designed by Master Distiller Jim McEwan, is an unusual alliance of Scotland, America, France and Austria, to produce a well rounded, compelling dram.
Matured for 18 years in American oak casks, the suitably aged whisky was selected for an additional cask evolution (ACE) for several months in premium quality French oak.
Mark Reynier, CEO says: The casks chosen come from Austrian maverick Willi Opitz, the engaging, ever so slightly mad, wine producer. It took four years to persuade him.
Opitzs irreverence he produces a sparkling wine called Fizzy Willy appeals to me. As does his huge vitality and enthusiasm - obsession even to challenge the norm.
One such idea which even changed Austrian wine law, was to create über-sweet wines by drying harvested grapes on straw mats - a Vin de Paille or straw wine
The Neusiedlersee, a vast lake on the Hungarian frontier, has a rare microclimate ideal for rare Noble Rot to form on grapes, creating delicious nutty, sweet, raisiny flavours.
That sweetness is then cranked up by 6 months concentration on straw mats resulting in
a trockenbeerenauslese sweet wine - with a rusty, brick red colour before cask aging.
Officiandos hooked on Sherry casks will be blown away there are similar traits but more complexity, finesse and fruit thanks to the finer oak and totally unique straw wine.
Its turbo-charged golden honey, dark raisin/toffee richness, pomegranate, cooked pear/plum fruit; with hints of cinnamon: viscous mouth feel and long, smooth finish
As with all Bruichladdichs the whisky is naturally bottled on Islay both unchill-filtered and colouring-free, using Islay Spring water. Stocks should last approximately 2 years"
Näin Gordonin sivuilla, saattaapa olla aika maistuvaa. Edeltäjänsä XVII on kyllä paras "perus" Laddie.
