Recent Release: Bruichladdich 1989-2015 26 Year Old Douglas Laing Xtra Old Particular #DL10859 52.1%

The unique perfume-like aroma was surprisingly not bad. Bruichladdich BRUICHLADDICH 1989-2015 26yo DOUGLAS LAING XTRA OLD PARTICULAR #DL10859 52.1% one of 225 bottles, REFILL HOGSHEAD The nose features vanilla, citrus notes from orange candy, a touch of cream, pronounced grassy and barley characteristics that are not overly dry, with faint floral hints reminiscent of violets. On the palate, it offers a gentle mouthfeel with refreshing citrus, vanilla, and good barley notes. The planty character is present but not off-putting, with a perfume-like floral quality reminiscent of violets that fades smoothly. It has a refined sweetness, light body, and clean finish. [Good, Interesting] This is a 26-year-old Bruichladdich from Douglas Laing's premium range, the Xtra Old Particular. While I generally don't favor recent Bruichladdich releases, this series has many enjoyable expressions, so I approached it with anticipation. The bourbon hogshead cask influence is notable, offering orange, vanilla, and decent barley notes. The unique planty character I usually find challenging was mostly pleasant here. However, the most striking aspect was the perfumed floral nuance reminiscent of violets—a characteristic I typically don't enjoy. Yet, combined with the light body, it fades smoothly without lingering. Tastes may vary, but it's clearly different from the more intense expressions that leave a lasting impression. In my view, this doesn't feel like an off-flavor but rather a malt with floral characteristics. #Bruichladdich (BRUICHLADDICH)