Bruichladdich RareCask 1985 Hidden Glory

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This 32 year old single malt was produced from the distillery's last 22 barrels of 1985 vintage whisky. Bottled at 48.7% after maturing in 3rd Fill Ex-Bourbon barrels, the whisky was transfered into fresh Bourbon barrels by Jim McEwan in 2012.

Producer Description: "32 years. A long journey with a few crossroads, a few considered and inspired decisions down the line. This dram comes from the final 22 casks of the legacy stock distilled back in 1985 by a previous generation of Bruichladdich stillmen. This whisky was originally filled into gentle third fill Bourbon casks and lay untouched in warehouse 14 until 2012. Our then master distiller Jim McEwan discovered this forgotten parcel and re-casked it into fresh bourbon adding depth and complexity."

Distiller's Tasting Note

Aroma: An amazing array of notes. Blood orange, nectarines, banana bread, desiccated coconut, vanilla custard, then more floral and nutty tones, geranium, marzipan, walnut, heather honey.

Taste: Tremendous presence on the palate, the texture is wondrously sof and syrupy. The short ACE in the wine casks has given a warm, nutmeg hint and a layer of fruity notes, raspberry, blackcurrant jam and ripe plum, all perfectly balanced by years in American oak – cinder toffee, lemon meringue and coconut – bounty bar sweet. It opens continually to reveal layer upon layer of complexity.

Finish: Long and gentle, the oak influence is strong with waves of soft vanilla wafer, toffee and sandalwood. Then lemon barley sugars, a hint of salted caramel and apricot syrup.

Character: Attempting to describe the feeling and style of this whisky will fall woefully short of doing it justice. This is a vintage that will not be forgotten and it is my pleasure to be able to release it to the world.

 

More on the Rare Cask Series from Adam Hannet

“These rare, old single malt whiskies are a direct link to our past, to the men who made truly special spirit here while facing very different circumstances to those which we enjoy today. Testament to their skill and hard work it was laid down to mature by the shores of Loch Indaal, unaware of what the future might bring.

“Three generations of distillers have watched over it, each of us helping to shape the final concept. It has been my privilege to decide that the treasures we have nurtured are now ready to be brought to the world.

“These whiskies when tasted leave me speechless. They are in their prime, the last of their kind and can never be repeated, never recreated. Nothing quite like them will ever be seen again.

“They are some of the most symbolic whiskies I have worked with and they are profoundly important to me. They are as old as I am. They refect my life and experience, those moments that mean so much to us all. The moments that defne us; when we marry, when we become parents and when we achieve our dreams and are recognised for our achievements.

“These are the moments that deserve to be celebrated with something extraordinary. I hope you will be able to join me.”

700 ml