Cask Le Sens Bruichladdich 17yo cask 2590 (bottled for The Highlander Inn)

Cask Le Sens Bruichladdich 17yo cask 2590 (bottled for The Highlander Inn)

Region: Islay

ABV: 52.7%

Price: £150.00

Distilled in September 2008 and bottled in February 2026 after 17 years of maturation, this Cask Le Sens single cask Bruichladdich was bottled for Highlander Inn. Matured in a first fill bourbon barrel with an outturn of 254 bottles

Nose

Palate

On the palate there is an initial hit of limoncello, followed by too much cracked black pepper spice. Then come satsumas, strawberry yoghurt, and flat Fanta. That spice returns on the medium length finish, with the other aforementioned notes, but it’s that’s spice that ultimately takes over. The mouthfeel is solid, though it is a touch mouth drying. There is more of the Bruichladdich character showing on the palate.

Nose (with water)

With dilution there is less ethanol now, with lots of strawberry coming through now, both laces and syrup. We also find warehouse must, cooking chocolate, and burnt brown sugar. The nose feels more one dimensional with dilution with some of the pre diluted notes having disappeared completely.

Palate (with water)

On the diluted palate many of the fruity notes have faded, replaced by Cadbury Caramel and honey. There is also a touch of bitter pomegranate and roasted coffee. The mouthfeel has held up, and the finish remains medium in length with less spice, though it now carries a slight sour edge to it.

Conclusion

Water completely changes this. We prefer the undiluted palate, as we favour the fruitier notes and are willing to put up with the extra spice. That said, while we do not dislike this, we just have found a lot more to enjoy in other older Bruichladdich releases.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

Laddie attracts a premium, but this still feels too expensive.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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