Dramfool Middle Cut Bruichladdich 13yo Cask #3203 & Bruichladdich 15yo Rock'ndaal valinch Fèis Ìle 2025 Cask #3069

Dramfool Middle Cut Bruichladdich 13yo Cask #3203

Region: Islay

ABV: 61.0%

Price: £140.00 

Distilled on 21st September 2011, this whisky spent its life maturing in a 1st fill bourbon barrel and was bottled at 13 years old on the 25th February 2025. 216 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose opens with a fair whack of white pepper spice, the alcohol is quite punchy up front - not unexpected at 61%. Behind that sits a lovely creaminess, sweet lemon yoghurt, vanilla custard, alongside almond marzipan and toffee pennies. There's a slight fabric softener-like note, freshly laundered linen, and something a little waxy - like waxed lemon rind. There's also a coastal, sea salt aroma sitting in the background. 

Palate

The palate opens with more creamy vanilla, white sugar cubes, lemon juice, white wine spritzers, yoghurt parfait, salted caramel and sour cream. Like the nose, the alcohol is quite prominent, leaving a pepperiness finish that lingers on for a good while. Going back, we're getting almonds, wafer cones and a little brown sugar as it opens up. Time and air brings lots more fudge, tablet and toffee notes.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose hasn't changed too much, slightly less of an alcohol kick but lots of creamy vanilla, fudge and yoghurt. The floral, fresh linen aromas are still present, alongside the sea salt too. Perhaps a bit more of a sawn wood aroma at certain parts.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate mellows the spice quite considerably, leaving a little tingle on the back palate, but we're getting richer oak flavours, brown sugar, candied pecans, lots of toffee and viscous salted caramel. The water has helped this immensely. 

Conclusion

Not the most complex Bruichladdich, but a good example of good quality bourbon wood mixing with good quality Islay spirit. It manages to maintain the Bruichladdich character whilst layering lots of fudgy, vanilla goodness. Our main gripe is the spice, we love that it's undiluted but the filling strength must have been around 68% and this has left quite an alcohol kick. Water does help though.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

Indie bottled Bruichladdich isn’t cheap, and unfortunately this doesn’t buck that trend.

Bruichladdich 15yo Rock'ndaal valinch Fèis Ìle 2025 Cask #3069

Region: Islay

ABV: 61.0%

Price: £80.00 (500ml)

Distilled 14th September 2009, and left to mature in a 2nd fill Oloroso Sherry butt until it was bottled in 2025 for Fèis Ìle 2025. 905 500ml bottles were released.

Nose

The nose opens with a blast of coffee, one of the most distinctive coffee aromas we've detected, freshly ground, brewed and mixed with a little caramel syrup. There's also some burnt treacle, tarmac, well fired morning rolls and a little burnt rubber. Very interesting. There's some form of red berry, red currant in the background but it's hidden behind the punchy, nutty oloroso aromas. There's a bit of spice here but it's integrated well with the cask and spirit.

Palate

The palate opens with red berries, fresher and zingier than the nose let on, but quickly moves into warmer, richer flavours of walnuts, burnt caramel, coffee and treacle. There's a foostiness/mustiness that lingers on the finish, along with flakes of sea salt and high percentage bitter chocolate. The mouthfeel is good, thick like a well made caramel, and we're getting some of that caramel flavour starting to appear as we continue to sip. There's a bit of warm alcohol spice that sits on the palate but the other flavours stand up to it well.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose hasn't changed too much, it's still very coffee-forward, with the same punch, same heft, and same texture. The alcohol kick has mellowed slightly, and the coffee has had a splash of milk added. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the silky mouthfeel, with lots of red fruits up front, and some citrus coming through too. It's become a little less... rich, more fruity, softer. The alcohol is also mellowed, and it feels a little more integrated and balanced. Skip the water if you prefer the richer, coffee-driven flavours.

Conclusion

It's bold, punchy and in your face. One dram a night sort of whisky. A sherry bomb in the richest, darkest, nuttiest sense. The Bruichladdich spirit is providing a salty note that brings another dimension to the whisky which keeps it interesting. If you're a coffee fan you'll love this. 

Score: 7.5/10

Value

A little younger and a bit more expensive than last year’s festival release, but still a fair price for a Fèis Ìle bottling.

• 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.

If you like what you’ve read then check out our social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to get notifications of when we post a new review or just to chat about whisky with us.