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Made from 100% Scottish barley, Bruichladdich's premiere in Malaysia is marked by its 3 signature whiskies – the Classic Laddie, Port Charlotte and Octomore 6.1.
From the isle of Islay in Scotland, comes a brand of whisky that is unlike any other single malt scotch whisky in the world.
Bruichladdich (pronounced brook-lad-dee) combines the traditional art of distillation with an independent free-thinking approach, which has become the distinct facet of the brand's DNA.
Each Bruichladdich's whisky is made of pure Scottish barley and is prepared in its entirety in the Islay distillery. Its barley is grown from the soil of Islay and it is harvested, crafted into whisky before being bottled by the locals of Islay themselves, making Bruichladdich a truly 100% Scottish whisky brand.
Last week, Bruichladdich made its Malaysian premiere with an introduction by brand ambassador, Murray Cambell, whose own mother was born and raised in the village of Bruichladdich.
"We believe terroir matters, which namely is the weather conditions, soil types and topography where we grow our barley, " shares Campbell. "They all come together to give us the distinct taste that we know of Bruichladdich whiskies today."
With an modern look to its bottles, we take a look at the 3 particular variants that will be available from the brand in Malaysia.
The Classic Laddie
Crafted by master distiller Jim McEwan from individually selected casks to showcase the classic, floral and elegant Bruichladdich house style, it is an unpeated single malt scotch whisky that comes with Bruichladdich's signature bottling. Its defining feature lies in its ingredients and method of distillation -- 100% scottish barley, trickle distilled and then matured for its entire life in premium American oak -- making it a testament to the quality of Bruichladdich's ingredients and authenticity.
Smooth as pebbles in a pool, clean in taste, fresh on the bouquet and lively with both the oak and the grain fermenting in perfect harmony, it is a golden drink that pours like sunlight in early summer. Expect invigorating openings of barley sugar with a hint of mint before that leads to awakening notes of freshly cut flowers the likes of buttercup, daisy and cherry blossom.
The Port Charlotte
This cuvee crafted from casks hand-picked also by master distiller Jim McEwan is peated to a heavyweight 40ppm to showcase the supreme elegance of the spirit. It is born of 100% Scottish barley gently matured in the Lochside Village of Port Charlotte -- hence the name -- before being bottled at the distillery using Islay spring water.
What results is texture that is extraordinarily rich with the smouldering heat of peat fires yet refined with flavours and aromas of vanilla and dark sweet toffee. The whisky the colour of gilded lily opens with assertive waves of black pepper, paprika and charred oak staves before the complexity is further enhanced by a gentler second wave carrying notes of soft plump dates, marinated pear and cracked walnuts. It is potent, focused and explodes brilliantly onto the palate.
The Octomore 6.1
The sixth annual release of the cult Octomore range, this spirit is the world's most heavily peated whisky with a staggering 167ppm that reveals itself with opening notes of peat smoke, cracked black peppercorn and hints of oily iodine. Magnificently muscular and imminently mature, it pays tribute to its raw material -- the Octomore Scottish barley -- by tapering off to the stunning notes of heather flowers, lemon balm and water mint.
On the tongue, it is all things rustic with notes of vanilla, toasted rye bread and walnuts before ending with a short burst of fresh lime, poached apple and pear. Most heavily peated malts are dry and phenolic so there is little else to spark the senses, but the Octomore in all its convention-challenging nature proves otherwise with its aftertaste warmth and thrill that lingers long after the glass is empty.
At Bruichladdich, the aim is to create the most thought-provoking whisky possible.
Bruichladdich products are available at the following outlets:
Kuala Lumpur:
Claret Wine Bar at Troika Sky Dining
Escobar
Friendscino (Viva Mall)
Malt & Leaf
Mezze
Mr Brooks
Scot Bar
Tate
The Whisky Bar
Penang:
Cuvee
Farquhar
Mish Mash
Traffic
Retail:
Eau de Vie (from mid-August 2014)
Tong Woh
For more information, head on over to the official website at www.bruichladdich.com.
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