Bruichladdich The Ternary Project & Bruichladdich X4 New Spirit

Bruichladdich The Ternary Project

Region: Islay

ABV: 51.2%

Price: £275.00

This is the first release in a new series of small batch experiments released by Bruichladdich. It consists of a mixture of 30% unpeated Bruichladdich spirit, that was distilled before the distillery’s temporary closure in 1994, 40% Port Charlotte spirit, that was distilled soon after the distillery’s reopening in 2001, and 30% Octomore spirit that was distilled in 2008.

The Laddie spirit was filled into 2nd fill ex-bourbon hogsheads before being re-casked into French red wine casks, then finally finished in Pedro Ximinez sherry butts from Fernando De Castilla.

The Port Charlotte spirit was filled into a combination of 1st fill bourbon barrels, 1st fill Oloroso sherry casks and 1st fill Virgin Oak.

Finally the Octomore was filled into Sauternes, French Mourvedres, Austrian Sweet Wines, ex-Amarone and bourbon casks.

This mixture produced a release of 4,000 bottles.

Nose

Woah, now this is a Interesting combo of notes a little beef, some cherries, warm butter, and hints of melted caramel all encapsulated within a backdrop of faint smoke. A little air reveals some toasted oak, more fruit, and some herbal notes. We love the nose on this. You can keep coming back to it and get something new every time. Let’s hope the palate can match up.

Palate

Initially we’re getting some toffee brittle that’s verging on treacle, prunes, raisins, cherries, and some sweet vanilla notes. The peat comes across as ash and it kinda feels like we’ve swallowed an ashtray. Saying that this is still very smooth with the alcohol is well integrated. Air and time reveals more fruit. We’re going to describe this as a peated Black Art.

Nose (with water)

With water we’re finding this is more fruit forward. It’s also gained more mustiness like we’ve just stuck our nose into a dusty cupboard. Going back to it after some time and there’s some tobacco, honey and pepper. The nose holds up well to the addition of water.

Palate (with water)

On the reduced palate the ashy notes recede into the background. The treacle we got earlier has also faded slightly too. The sweetness is now more prominent and we’re getting more citrus, and apple. Let’s just call it a fruit salad. Finish is sadly a little short, but pleasant with the sweet and ashy notes lingering briefly.

Conclusion

We enjoyed this, it’s a tasty dram and Adam has done a good job of blending the three “house styles” of Laddie spirit into something that’s actually pretty great. Unfortunately, the price is just too high, but we do understand this has a good percentage of the same casks that go into Black Arts. Overall we're settling on a 7.5/10.

Score: 7.5/10

Bruichladdich - X4 New Spirit 

Region: Islay

ABV: 50.0%

Price: £170.00 (Auction)

Something a bit different now, this experimental release from Bruichladdich was distilled four times, reaching a whopping 92%, before being reduced and bottled at 50%, without any cask ageing.

Nose

Initially we can’t help, but feel like we’re nosing a potato vodka. Going back to it and digging deeper we can get some toasted bread, pear, red apple and an ethanol/malty note. Pleasant enough, but not overly exciting.

Palate

Again we’re initially reminded of vodka. Trying harder and there’s some caster sugar, hazelnut and a little vanilla. There’s a decent length finish on this with a little alcohol bite.

Nose (with water)

On the reduced nose there’s chemical smell almost like paint stripper, followed by some acetone, and plastic. Air release a touch of mint, a little yeast, and some sugar puffs.

Palate (with water)

Reduced palate is still very reminiscent of vodka. We’re now getting some watermelon, a touch of mint, and caramel. Palate can take a touch of water, but the nose doesn’t benefit from it. We recommend this neat.

Conclusion

Not terrible and an interesting experiment, but we can’t help but wonder why Laddie didn’t just release Bruichladdich / Port Charlotte / Octomore new make as surely this would have been more interesting to your average Laddie fan. Saying that it is perfectly drinkable. Given this is not actually a whisky we’re rating this n/a.

Score: N/A

• 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
• 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
• 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
• 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
• 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
• 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
• 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
• 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
• 2 - Pour it out
• 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.

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