Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2012
$124.99
Distilled in 2012, from a 2011 harvest of 100% Bere barley grown by the Agronomy Institute of Orkney College. The whisky was matured in 10 years in First Fill ex-Bourbon casks before bottling at 50%.
Producer Description
"Bere is Britain’s oldest strain of cultivated cereal and would have been used by Scotland’s early distillers through distant centuries. However, in the 20th century an emphasis on efficiency and commercial return encouraged the pursuit of yield over flavour – favouring varieties that would produce the easiest crop and greatest extract.
"As champions of flavour, we’ve been working with the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Agronomy Institute since 2005 to reintroduce Bere barley to the distilling of single malt whisky.
"However, its importance stretches beyond whisky making. It is believed that this varietal has huge potential for the future of food production.
"Sown in April for a September harvest, the 2011 growing season was mostly warm and dry, until the crucial cutting time when there were very few days free from rain. Maturing for over ten patient years in first fill ex-bourbon casks, the understated maturation of this 2012 vintage delicately balances an unctuous texture and malty, sweet fruit flavour."
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013
$101.99
The 2022 edition of Bruichladdich's Islay Barley is a 2013 vintage release, produced from barley grown at 7 Islay farms in 2012. The whisky was matured 8 years in ex-American and European oak casks before bottling at 50%.
Producer Description
"For almost two decades now, we have shown the permanence of our commitment to barley provenance. Aided by the determination of our farming partners, this Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013 is our eighth edition of unpeated, locally grown single malt.
"While each expression from the individual growing season is subtly nuanced, a signature maritime-citrus, barley forward style has developed in these complex single malts.
"Our newest vintage of unpeated Bruichladdich Islay Barley features the harvest from the 2012 growing season, later distilled in 2013.
"The crop was raised across seven island farms, by Hunter Jackson at Cruach, Andrew and Donald Jones at Coull, Mark French at Rockside, Ian McKerrell at Island, Alistair Torrance at Mulindry, Raymond Fletcher at Dunlossit and Raymond Stewart at Sunderland.
"The resulting spirit was matured in a combination of ex-American and ex-European oak casks for eight aged years."
Bruichladdich Black Art 10.1
$779.99
Distilled in 1992 matured 29 years in a secret assortment of casks, known only to Adam Hannet, before bottling at 45.1%. 91.56pts Whiskybase
Producer Description
"Whisky making is an ancient art, one that has intrigued and captivated for centuries. Black Art 10 is testament to this elusive mastery.
"Pulling exclusively from Bruichladdich Distillery pre renaissance casks which have been patiently maturing on our island home for almost three decades, this finite single malt is secretly created by our Head Distiller, Adam Hannett. What happens inside each cask, under the darkness of the warehouse, remains a mystery.
"Putting our trust in Adam, he is given complete creative freedom to create this incredible whisky. With no rules and no restrictions, Black Art Edition 10.1 is unique and unrepeatable. A chance to experiment and push the boundaries of possibility, only Adam knows what has gone into crafting the precious 29 year old single malt.
"Unpeated and matured in the finest quality oak, this tenth edition of Black Art is a captivating marriage of faith and ingenuity."
Elements of Islay Cask Edit
$76.99
Producer Note: "Elements of Islay Cask Edit is part of the new core range trilogy alongside Sherry Cask and Bourbon Cask. Cask Edit is a composition - or edit - of refill, bourbon and sherry casks and is bottled at 46% for the perfect balance of drinkability and personality. Rich, smoky single malt from Islay’s south coast marries together with a fresher, fruitier style from the north. Sip and savour, or experiment in cocktails."
Natural colour, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 46% abv.
Elements of Islay Sherry Cask
$106.99
Producer Note: "Elements of Islay Sherry Cask is part of the new core range trilogy alongside Cask Edit and Bourbon Cask. It is matured in first fill and refill Sherry butts and hogsheads and is bottled at a higher strength of 54.5% to fully showcase the whisky’s natural personality. Islay single malt from a south coast distillery brings flavours of dried fruits and dark chocolate, while a distillery on the north coast contributes notes of lemon oil and Arbroath smokie."
Natural colour, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 54.5% abv.
Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013
$109.99
Produced from a 2012 crop of 100% Islay grown concerto barley, peated to 40ppm, and matured 7 years in ex-Bourbon, with"25% of the parcel was then ace’d in first fill French wine casks before being married back together for bottling. 8 years old and 50%.
Producer Description
"The barley harvest for this 2013 vintage was raised on our home shores in 2012 by seven of our Islay farming partners. Hunter Jackson at Cruach, Ian McKerrell at Island farm, Raymond Fletcher at Dunlossit estate, Donald and Andrew Jones at Coull, Mark French at Rockside, Alastair Torrance at Mulindry and Raymond Stewart at Sunderland all undertook the risk of growing in challenging conditions to deliver the barley for this Scotch whisky with unparalleled provenance. This Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013 single malt has been matured in ex-American and ex-wine casks hailing from the Pessac-Leognan region of France. Heavily peated and malted to 40 PPM, this eight-year-old single malt pays homage to its island home. With redberry fruits, toasted oak notes and hints of coffee and chocolate, it offers a dramatic, smoky finish."
Rest & Be Thankful Port Charlotte 2005
$309.99
Unquestionably one of the most exciting and challenging whiskies on the market, Port Charlotte commands attention in all its guises. In fact, there's a part of me that wishes Bruichladdich would ditch the other ranges and produce Port Charlotte full time, but I suppose variety is also a good thing. Unfortunately, heavy demand on the distillery's stocks means that it is exceedingly rare to see PC beyond 10 years of age. Thankfully we have indie bottlers like Rest & Be Thankful, who are the only ones giving us higher age statement Port Charlotte expressions. This single cask (#1577) appears to be full term maturation in an ex-wine hogshead. At cask strength, this should be a real rollercoaster of flavours. Look for sweetness, big smoke, and a whole lot of farmyard in a bottle.
272 Bottles. Natural colour, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 54.6% abv. 87.45pts Whiskybase
Rest & Be Thankful Port Charlotte 2002
$439.99
Single cask, cask strength, Port Charlotte. Hell yeah. After nearly two decades in an ex-wine hogshead, our friends at Rest & Be Thankful were able to get just 222 bottles of this one. Expect the wine to deliver some sweet, sour, and savoury notes to Port Charlotte's smoky, coastal, and farmy stylings. We're itching to try this one, because let's face it...19 year old Port Charlotte is as rare as hen's teeth.
Natural colour, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 56.3% abv. 89.25pts Whiskybase
Smokehead Terminado Islay Single Malt
$105.99
The latest Smokehead line extension is Terminado, a Tequila cask finished Islay single malt, reputedly from Ardbeg, bottled at 43%.
Producer Description
"Terminado brings together Smokehead Islay single malt with tequila. It’s the meeting of two restless spirits – and the awakening of a mesmerising whisky. There, in this tequila cask finish, fiery peat awakes with wild agave. Smoke mixes with chewy meringue. And citrus spins with sweetness. You ain’t tasted nothing like this before."