A phenomenally rare cask of our favorite Islay distillery. Distilled in 1991, this single malt harks from a different era in the world of Scotch whisky. This liquid is exquisite, delicately aromatic, and we are delighted to present it to you. As we know many Uncharted customers may choose to keep this bottle un-opened for a time, we are including A 30ml sample of this amazing liquid so that everyone gets a chance to taste it. There will be only 6 bottles of this for the USA market.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BRUICHLADDICH

BruIchladdich was built in 1881 by family of three Brothers of the Harvey family. Over the years it was bought and sold many times. At the time this cask was distilled and filled, the distillery was under the stewardship of Whyte and MacKay. This distillate is un-peated unlike many other Islay whiskies. Whyte and Mackay would go on to close the distillery in 1994. It lay dormant before being bought again in 2000 by a group of private investors who re-established the brand using old stocks created pre-1994 closure and restarted production of new spirit. With this came a step change in Bruichladdich, many new spirits were created from different barley strains and at peat levels in a new experimental style using themes borrowed from the wine world. This has proved enormously popular among whisky lovers- so much so that the private investors would go on to sell the distillery again to the current owners- Remy Cointreau- for £58 million. So this cask is one of a ever-dwindling stock pile of pre-re-opening stocks. The old style from another Time.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Time is a recurring theme with this hogshead. It’s old, really quite old, 33 years and 4 months old at the time of writing. The distillery and the style it creates has moved with the times too creating different and more industry challenging spirits>This old style harks from previous owners with different intentions for the spirit created. The cask is also almost out-of-time. As whisky ages, the ABV drops year by year and if it drops below 40% abv, it can no longer be bottled as Scotch Whisky. With the natural cask strength down to 46.7% , the time is now for Uncharted to bottle this spirit.

AN INSIGHT TO OUR INDY BOTTLING STYLE

When we bottle at natural cask strength, the ABV can change slightly between the last time we measure it and it actually being bottled. This was last measured at 46.7% ABV, by the time October rolls around, we expect this to drop slightly- it’s the nature of real minimal intervention whisky. We expect 180 bottles from the cask with 36 of them remaining in the UK. As always…. Un-chill filtered. Natural colour.

Nose

A waft of tinned pineapple juice followed by a medley of other tropical fruits. Old style esters, pears and fragrant boiled sweets.

Palate

Old oak accompanies a rich buttery mouthfeel, a touch of chocolate dipped coffee beans. Victoria sponge spread with lemon curd. A salty edge follows with delicate candied almond. Add a touch of of water and lemon sherbet joins the fray.

Finish

Long finish meanders around the palate. Full bodied with the tropical fruits returning before sinking back into the generous oak and seaside salt.

Tasting notes by Jack and Dana