Home Tasting: Bruichladdich 2007 Official Islay Barley Rockside Farm 2007

A deep, unrefined barley character evokes the essence of Islay's land. Bruichladdich BRUICHLADDAICH 2007 OB Islay Barley Rockside Farm 2007 50% ・Aroma: The dominant note is a strong, thick wheat-like aroma with hints of citrus, faint green apple, honey, vanilla, a touch of machine oil, and youthful alcohol. The scent is slightly young and somewhat monotonous. ・Flavor: The texture feels slightly viscous, with a gradual build-up of stimulation. The sweetness of honey and the rich barley umami are prominent, along with a youthful alcohol sensation. Though not complex, it offers straightforward deliciousness. The finish brings tar and smoke, a touch of machine oil, with a thick body. ・Aftertaste: The honey sweetness lingers longer, accompanied by barley notes, tar, and an oily sensation. ・Dilution: The green apple and vanilla become more pronounced without losing their structure. ・Overall Impression: The youthfulness is evident, with a strong emphasis on the barley character. While it carries some of the mechanical oil-like nuances often found in post-revival Bruichladdich, compared to the Scottish Barley it was tasted alongside, this Islay Barley clearly dominates with its robust and flavorful barley notes. 【Good, Interesting】 Bruichladdich 2007, Official, Islay Barley, Rockside Farm. It is believed to have been bottled in 2103. This malt whisky was made exclusively from barley grown on Islay, and this bottle emphasizes traceability by noting not only the field but also the producer. With approximately 6 years of maturation, it has a slight greenness and lacks complexity. However, despite this, its unrefined yet flavorful barley character is notable. I first tasted this bottle at an event held when Mr. Jim McEwan visited Japan. Previously, during my visit to Bruichladdich, Mr. McEwan was absent, so this was the first time I met him and had a conversation. Honestly, I didn't have a very positive impression of the revived Bruichladdich, as it often carried mechanical oil-like nuances and an artificial maturity. However, compared to the Scottish Barley, this Islay Barley clearly emphasizes its robust barley character with deep flavor. The most interesting part for me that day was the comparison between Scottish Barley and Islay Barley. As Mr. McEwan mentioned, the Scottish Barley was a light, fruity malt with fresh citrus, vanilla, and honey-like nuances, with good balance. However, I found the mechanical oil-like notes slightly concerning. In contrast, this Islay Barley 2007, while undeniably immature and less fruity than the Scottish Barley, showcased a bold, rich barley character with restrained mechanical oil-like notes. Its smooth mouthfeel despite the high alcohol content and the deep barley umami make it a malt that might appeal more to connoisseurs. Considering its maturation age, it's surprisingly well-developed. Given the costly ingredients used, I couldn't help but speculate that high-quality casks were employed. Of course, it lacks maturation and isn't particularly special in taste. However, perhaps due to my affection for Islay or the McEwan effect, I would be interested in trying any future releases from this series. #Bruichladdich (BRUICHLADDICH)