Bruichladdich 35 Years Old 125 Anniversary of Bruichladdich Distillery 40.1% 1970

Distillery	Bruichladdich
Bottler	OB
Serie	125 Anniversary of Bruichladdich Distillery
Bottled for	X
Distilled date	1970
Bottling date	2006
Country	Scotland
Region	Islay
Age	35
Cask Type	Bourbon Casks + Pinot Gris Finish
Cask Number	X
Alcohol percentage	40.1
Volume	0,70
Condition	In original container
Label	Perfect
Stock	0

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (91)

This one has a very long story. First, 1970 is a legendary vintage at Bruichladdich. Second, with a bunch of other MM’s, we could taste this whisky at the distillery, when it was still ‘naked’, and found it to be wonderful, pretty much in line with the fab ‘1970’ that was bottled three or four years ago. Third, the Laddie gang decided to ‘ace’ it in some of fellow Maniac Olivier’s barrels that had contained his highly acclaimed Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Sélection de Grains Nobles Trie Spéciale from Clos Jebsal (kind of an uber-uber-late harvest if you like). To cut a long story short, we were, well, not exactly sceptic but kind of ‘scared’. I already had a dram of this one but in very bad conditions (you know, a festival + bottle shock) and, well, I felt it was a bit too woody, so I’m more than happy to be able to have it more ‘seriously’ now.
Colour: full gold. Nose: the first thing that strikes me is that it smells like a 1970 Bruichladdich. Bleeding obvious? Well, had you tried Olivier’s ultra-bold wine, you’d have understood why I wrote that. Aromatic and very fruity, the Laddie starts on mangos, ripe bananas and very ripe melons, with notes of citrus fruits (mostly tangerines) in the background as well as light honey and pollen. Then we have a gentle oaky cavalry (?) coming, with quite some vanilla, a little ginger, white pepper, hints of nutmeg… Then it’s back to fruitiness with notes of beurrée pears, quinces and apricots (all from the wine!), with also a distant smokiness, something slightly toasted and again a little ginger. A success, no doubt. Phew, it seems that Jim knew what he was doing and, above all, managed to keep the whisky in those casks for just the right amount of time. Mouth: I think the wine’s much more obvious now, but that’s probably because I know that wine quite well. Starts with a nice mintiness, something smoky, lots of apricots and quinces, candied lemons, spices that are unusual in whisky such as saffron or poppy seeds… The whisky (and the former bourbon casks) strikes back with vanilla, melon, soft tannins, the whole getting woodier and woodier, gently drying, I’d say just below the limit. Phew (again!) The finish isn’t extraordinarily long but balanced, with the oak counterbalancing the ripe melons and tangerines plus notes of caramelised nuts and sultanas. Excellent indeed despite the very low strength. It worked – phew! (Serge, will you stop that!).

BOW (92)

A 1970 vintage Bruichladdich released in 2006 to commemorate the 125th
anniversary of the distillery. Aged for 35 years in American oak and
then finished for a short time in Pinot Gris casks from the legendary
Domaine Zind Humbrecht.

"The best Bruichladdich ever",
according to the distillery’s Lynn McEwan.