Bruichladdich 21-year-old

Overall without considering price : 87~88 points Considering price : 89 points got it less than 200$, Islay whisky without peat? but decent

Golden color. Slight oiliness.

Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of the new packaging. Cheap recycled paper? Nothing that would excite me as a collector! Also, I very much prefer the older/previous bottle shape compared to the new one. And now to the whisky. The whisky itself has the characteristic Bruichladdich lactic/cheese/cheesecake/yogurt note for sure, but luckily it is not over the top. That is a plus, as I love this typical Bruichladdich note. The flavors I am perceiving are: vanilla, powdered white sugar, honey, oak, malt, butter, toffee, gentle spices, light (very light) Sherry influence in the form of apricots, dried fruit mix notes and the gentlest of strawberries touch. Medium complexity, no alcohol burn. The texture/viscosity is surprisingly on the lower side of the spectrum. The taste is a bit too sweet for my palate and the finish is quite short and unimpressive. All in all, a rock solid 89/100 whisky with quite some uniqueness to it. On a good day, I could go even 90/100. The asking price of 240-250 Euros is way too high for what is actually on offer here taste-wise. 175-200 Euros would be more appropriate in my opinion. Especially in combination with the cheap packaging, just saying...

Overall Impression: A complex and challenging whisky that made for an extremely fun tasting Personally, I tend to dislike spices on the palate, so I may have underrated the palate a bit—but there were definitely a lot of notes to be found It felt like a well-balanced whisky where no single note overwhelmed the others, which is probably why it was hard to pinpoint everything individually

This is a really amazing whisky from Bruichladdich. Very majestic, dense, full aroma with lots of malt, vanilla, wood, fruity freshness and spices. The taste is also very intense, malty, chocolatey bitter, dried fruit.

Beautiful old, complex Bruichladdich. With many earthy and nutty tones.

Really leans into the more idiosyncratic aspects of the contemporary Bruichladdich DNA. Not exactly my cup of tea, but certainly worth trying a sample.

wellmade

On the first nose, aromas of marshmallow, Oreo, vanilla coke, caramel brown sugar, and burnt toffee intertwine sweetly. After resting, notes of cranberry juice and fig emerge, accompanied by a unique waxiness, a hint of aged warehouse character, coastal sea breeze saltiness, and pebble-like minerality, eventually blossoming into vibrant citrus notes of lemon and orange juice. The palate is full and rich, delivering lively flavors of orange juice and pineapple, layered with lemon sorbet, vanilla sugar balls, citrus marmalade, and toffee apple. The texture is smooth and pleasing, with an underlying hint of coastal salinity. The finish is long and warm, with a perfect balance of sweetness and peppery spice, culminating in an exceptionally approachable character.

On the nose, I detect a distinctive note that I've encountered in many older Bruichladdich bottlings. Some describe it as "cheese," but I associate it more with overripe fruit, especially kiwi, and with damp, musty hay and grain. On the palate, the fermented fruit note recedes somewhat, and for me, notes of grain, hay, and old wooden barn dominate, along with a tingling spiciness, but also a gentle sweetness of orchard fruit, sweet lemon, and hints of tropical fruit. Oak and vanilla are also clearly present. Finally, this grainy, almost nutty impression intensifies, and I find it incredibly appealing. It reminds me of hearty muesli with raisins, nuts, rolled oats, and dried barley. Few whiskies capture the magic of whisky production in a distillery in such a raw, unadulterated way. This dram transports me back to Scotland, allowing me to taste dried barley on my tongue, smell the malting floors and fermentation vats, and finally experience the incomparable aroma of an old warehouse. The whisky isn't perfect; whether it lives up to its 21 years is hard to say. And despite its not-so-cheap price and the somewhat unusual packaging, I'm impressed by the contents. I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle!

It's quite good, with a rustic, old-fashioned flavor, a touch of spiciness and warmth, and a unique character.

Nose Grain, clear and distinct. Vanilla and wood in balance. A gentle sweetness carries it all. Then almonds, dry and elegant. Smoke? Perhaps. Hesitantly, I'm not sure. The taste Pleasant alcohol, perfectly integrated. And suddenly there's smoke. Distinct. Accompanied by a barnyard note, earthy and honest. Grain remains the backbone, pepper accompanies it. With water it becomes more bitter, the smoke remains. Conclusion What a pleasant surprise. Mature, independent, with depth and character.

A complex and easy-drinking product, the woody flavor is not so pleasant in the mouth, but the overall flavor expression is balanced.

It's a strange whisky, I can't even formulate its profile briefly - oak, burnt branches, burnt jam, it turns out that there's a lot of bitterness, a lot of sweetness, little harmony, few derivatives, quite straightforward and simple. On the plus side - powerful, dense, more drinkable than not.

This is a highly approachable whisky. The distinct fruit-forward profile paired with dried fruits and chocolate makes it quite enjoyable and easy to appreciate.

Aromas suggest a well-balanced mix of sherry and bourbon casks—sweet chocolate, peach, and apple fruitiness. Funky notes like cheese and bleach (Lox) add a quirky twist. On the palate, vibrant sweet apple leads the profile.

"A whisky that showcases 21 years of aging" Compared to the Re/Define 18, it offers significantly more complexity and clarity in its flavors. However, the slightly overpowering woody bitterness was a letdown. Had it been more restrained, this could have been an exceptionally charming and flavorful whisky.

*This review was originally written in Korean and translated through ChatGPT. There may be translation errors.*

This whisky makes you want to drink it in big, luscious gulps. It's beautiful and even unusually smoky, bringing to mind the best traditions of Zephyrus and the PC series. There's practically no wood, though its influence is clearly evident. There's no trace of home-brew or bread. There's no paperiness or wet cardboard. Magnificent! Excellent! Signature! No questions at all! This whisky can be aged for much longer! It will only get better and better! Difficulty of note breakdown: 7/10 22 23 22 22

Soggy cheese crackers—that single phrase sums it up completely. However, the texture is quite powdery, which might make it a bit polarizing.