Phew, What a long hiatus. The holidays really drained me and I was way too lazy to do anything but celebrate them, and then had a busy week of finalizing my upcoming Scotland trip.

But now I’m back  – with reviews of four new Bruichladdich expressions which were part of last week #LaddieTT2 tweet tasting.

Today we’ll review the first 2 drams (and non-peated) from this event – Bruichladdich Scottish Barley & Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2007

(Official samples provided from Bruichladdich distillery via Steve Rush from http://www.TheWhiskyWire.com)

Bruichladdich Scottish Barley (OB, 50%, buy for € 49.95 here or £41.53 here)

Nose: Hmm, very malty nose, sweet cereal, vanilla and some dash of honey. After it sits in the glass for a while, we’re getting more fruitier notes with citrus and lemon on front – it develops very nicely with time exposing more notes – some nuts and chocolate, fruits notes turns toward tropical with some salty edge. It’s very rounded and elegant, fresh and at the same time even can be titled as restrained. With a dash of water the fruity notes get bolder.

Palate: Oh it’s spicy and fiery! vanilla and subtle oak leads the way here, pepper, sweet and oily. Malt/cereal notes as solid background.

Finish: Medium length, creamy, oily and spicy. Sweet mixed with salt  (‘Umami’) – I dig it! It’s a very nice summer evening drink.

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2007 (OB, 50%, buy for € 59.95 here or £44.50 here )

Nose: This one has richer nose with much more stronger honey and cream notes – a bit more floral, butter-like, smells chewy. unlike the Scottish Barley one, this one as almost non-existence salt note, and doesn’t seems like it need water.

Palate: creamy/buttery cereal, mild honey (less then expected by nose), almost no hot spices (slight touch of cinnamon), buttery and sweet. Delicious.

Finish: shorter then the Scottish Barley, butter and sweet with some thang of toffee.

Conclusion: It’s really a matter of personal taste – both are exceptionally good, but out of those 2 non-peated whiskies, right now I prefer the Bruichladdich Islay barley – it’s a delicious dram, very mature for 6 years old whisky, although I can see myself drinking the Scottish Barley on the beach on a lovely summer evening.