Bruichladdich 10 Years Old Oloroso 46% 1998

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (86)

Colour: gold/amber with salmony hues. Nose: what’s rather surprising is that whilst manzanilla is drier than oloroso, this whisky is a little drier than its sibling on the nose. We’re closer to a classic Bruichladdich, with the whiffs of melons, apricots and even gooseberries flying around, and then more typical notes of oloroso, such as chocolate, praline and raisins. Finally more grassy notes (walnut skin, apple peeling.) Almost no vinosity at all this time. Mouth: this is a whisky we’d call ‘gourmand’ in French – sorry, never found a similar term in English. Much richer and sweeter than on the nose, and hence sweeter and richer than the manzanilla version, with also a more obvious peatiness here and quite some spices (quite some pepper). Other than that it’s all on chocolate, sultanas and various fruit liqueurs, including orange and maybe date arrack. Finish: long, still sweeter than the manzanilla, with even a few bubblegummy notes but no icing sugar (or fructose). Comments: it’s not bold and thick first fill oloroso, which can be seen in the colour. Maybe a tad youngish again but already very, verypleasant. Also, we’re maybe closer in style to a good sherry finishing that worked well. Let’s say I liked the manzanilla just a tad better, mainly because it’s more unusual.

BOW (87)