The Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition is a travel retail exclusive Scotch single malt whisky from the Islay distillery of Bruichladdich. It takes The Classic Laddie, which is matured solely in ex-bourbon barrels, and introduces a 9-month finish in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. These have been sourced from Fernando de Castilla in Jerez, Spain. It is made using 100% Scottish grown barley.
Bruichladdich (pronounced brook-laddie) is located on the western peninsula of Islay and sits on the shores of Loch Indaal. The distillery was founded in 1881 by Barnett Harvey and it was one of the first buildings in the UK to be constructed using concrete. Bruichladdich translates as ‘the brae (or hillside) by the shore’ from Gaelic.
The current owners are Remy Cointreau, who took control in 2012 from a group of independent entrepreneurs. They had renovated the distillery and rebuilt the brand following a period of closure between 1995 and 2001. The current capacity is two million litres per year. Unusually they produce three different styles of single malt at the distillery – classic unpeated Bruichladdich, peated Port Charlotte and heavily peated Octomore.
The Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition is unpeated and joined in the travel retail range by the Organic 16 Years Old and Bruichladdich Re/Define 21 Years Old. The Sherry Cask Edition is housed in the brand’s iconic turquoise bottle and is released at 50% ABV. A 70cl bottle will cost £60/ €70.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep coppery gold and the nose is luscious, sweet and fruity. Aromas of toffee and sugary sultana lead the way and are quickly joined by baked apple, brown sugar and vanilla essence. Some earthy and chocolatey malt aromas also sit underneath. There are hints of orange marmalade, creamy sweet nougat and ripe apricot in the background.
On the palate this whisky is soft, sweet and rich. The immediate softness is a surprise given the high ABV. Lovely notes of crumbly brown sugar, toffee and vanilla fudge open up to bitter orange marmalade, juicy raisin and plump sugary sultana. A hint of black treacle or molasses also comes through.
The creamy nougat is again evident and adds a lovely background note. A robust malty character builds nicely and adds structure and further depth, as does a pinch of dusty cocoa powder. Some crisp green apple and pear give a tartness later on, as does a twist of grapefruit zest.
The finish is of decent length although becomes increasingly malty and drying with time. The dried fruit and sugary sweet elements slowly fade and this allows the spices, oak and malt to do battle. Only now to you get a peppery kick and heat, plus a hint of tannic oak and warming baking spice.
What’s The Verdict?
Bruichladdich have done a nice job with this whisky. It offers something different to travellers from the iconic regular expression of The Classic Laddie. This is common practice by brands – to tweak a popular domestic release, often released at a higher strength – and it often works well.
Here, the nine months of ex-sherry cask finishing have added depth, complexity and richness while maintaining the lovely green fruit, vanilla and malt. It is also priced nicely too, so you get plenty of whisky for your money. Definitely one to sip, savour and enjoy after a long flight. Excellent.
