Bruichladdich Scottish Barley - The Classic Laddie

It appears the 2016-17 reviews were not keen but since then things have improved. Is the whisky genuinely better now or are the reviewers a different?

(I do like this whisky btw, and the Port Charlotte 10 is very good too)

3rd June 2020

Bruichladdich just seem to me to have the cleanest most invigorating flavoured whiskies - fresh

18th May 2020

Dancing complexity on the palate with sweetness and satisfying finish. Sipped this all afternoon by a fire and never was wanting a peated malt. Now one of my favorites. —a long time lover of single malts who lived in Scotland.

13th April 2020

We had never heard of Bruichladdich until we watched the "Scotch: The Golden Dream" documentary on a long airline flight. Months later it appeared on the drink menu at Richard's fine restaurant in Boise, Idaho. The first sip sold us on our new favorite single malt. We bought what may have been the last bottle in the state, and relished every last drop. Don't know what the obstacle is to shipping to us here in the colonies, but we eagerly await its resolution. Truly, nectar of the gods.

31st March 2020

If you are reading reviews to anticipate your own experience - STOP. Errrbody is different (until you find that one reviewer you connect with). I also smell the barley on the nose, and enjoy some vanilla and spice as it goes down, very smooth to begin with. But the finish is so jagged and bitter that I’m left with a feeling that completely erases my warm first impression.

31st January 2020

I’m a 50%er. I love Laphroaig Lore. I mean LOVE it. But this is testing all my powers of loyalty.

20th January 2020

Not a whisky man but been drinking this one particular one for a number of years and it has gone from odd few at New Year when visiting Pitlochry for Hogmanay celebrations to niw buying a bottle each year and truly loving every sip I have .. It feels so smooth and tasty that in my limited opinion regards whisky it is the number 1 for me and will remain so ... A superb product ..

18th January 2020

The best scotch whisky I ever had

4th January 2020

Excellent

29th December 2019

This is young and strong but gentle and smooth. It's an excellent study in the power of expertly handled malted barley; to have power without jaggedness, complexity without confusion without spending decades in a bonded warehouse. I like this a lot, more so because it is unpeated. I would looove to taste this at 18 years. It would be sublime. But as it is, it is a very nice dram.

26th December 2019

Nice and smooth, didn't completely blow my mind with flavour but a overall nice whisky.

25th December 2019

Starts off with a sharp inhale of breathe, savoured as it lingers with its sea air and a finish that reminds us there’s some ready for the next nip..

23rd December 2019

I can smell the sea air in the nose.... the more aggressive the inhale the greater the sea salt quality in the breath. The finish is most intriguing to me as it lingers with, in my humble opinion, oak and roses. One of the best..... worth savoring.

1st September 2019

A friend recommended Classic Laddie to me, and became an even greater friend. This is a smooth, sweet, delicious whisky.

25th July 2019

5 stars says it all. Love it.

29th April 2019

It was quite different and tasty.

7th April 2019

We to Scotland for New Year and found Classic! Laddie best New Year ever

11th March 2019

One of the truly great whiskies of Scotland. Period. Toasted marshmallow notes on the nose get me right away. And it’s very complex all the way through.
It’s a great example of a whisky with one foot in the legacy and one striding forward into the experimental future.

23rd December 2018

Normally drink Irish but this was amazing much better than usual Scottish muck buy some

27th November 2018

Love the Laddie.

Immediate waft of barley, almost reminiscent of bourbon, followed by layers of sweetness (honey and vanilla). On the palate, definitely tasted more honey, and almost fresh cut grass; not so much orange, but I did get an almost strawberry taste. This is a moderate to long finish that is extremely enjoyable.

6th September 2018

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley Unpeated 50% vol.

Matures in barrels made of American and European oak, non-chill filtered, natural color, made of 100% Scottish malted barley, bottled with high proof 50% without age statement (but the whisky is usually about 6 years old).

Nose: sweetness, candies, sea breeze, flowers, herbs, hay, grass, citrus, oranges, mint, mint pills, slightly malty, fruity and floral, beach, sand, apple with mint, mild aroma for 50% proof, slightly oaky, honey.

Taste: malty, vanilla, sweet, oak, mint, flowers, fruit, milk chocolate, slightly spicy, hay, barley, pineapple, coconut, pina colada, grass, salty caramels, tangerine, leather, cream, mild, pleasant.

Finish: gentle, pleasant, tropical fruit, a bit of sea breeze, a bit of salt, lemon, orange peel.

This whisky should be given to people who shiver on the back of the word Islay. I think that it would be very surprising how interesting the liquor from the island where peat was not used could be. Whisky is very friendly, gentle, delicate for its proof, young, but already well-composed, fruity and floral profile transferring us to the shores of Islay beaches.

13th July 2018

Malty, slight alcohol on the nose. Same on the palate but sweet. For 100 proof very, very smooth. Rich long finish.

1st July 2018

Overpriced for its quality and character. Packaging is more impressive than its content. Tases too young and aggressive, although improves with time. The bitter taste is not balanced. Lots of flavors and again the sweetness and harshness is not balanced or complimentary. Don't think I will be a repeat buyer of this Laddie.

1st June 2018

I keep coming back tho this one and I am always happy. I like the balance on this one, it has everything but not too much. I try different whiskeys but in the end this is the one i actually miss. Much better than reviews give it credit for.

You can never just have one glass, ever and that's a good thing.

Islay flavor, balance and great taste.

11th April 2018

Ottimo sapore e profumi di primavera un Grande whisky.......

7th April 2018

The perfect blend of highland and islay. Hints of sweet toffee peach and caramel. Give it time to aerate. Excellent value as it can compete with whiskeys three times the price.

20th March 2018

Malty, floral, fresh, sweet, fruity, funky. Love the 50% ABV. Shockingly easy-drinking.

24th February 2018

Often drunk in great quantities by German/South Africans

17th February 2018

Not a big fan of the taste. Doesn't taste full.

23rd January 2018

I don't know what others have been drinking. Maybe they should stick to speyside malts!
This is a classic and deserves it's place among the best islay malts . I find islay malts to be the best whiskies in the world and this is in my top 15 !! A great every day malt.

21st January 2018

A couple years ago I was using wasp spray to eradicate some pesky wasps. I was unfortunately down wind while attempting this and got my first taste of The Classic Laddie

1st January 2018

Brilliant whisky, different yes, but very interesting and good. One of my favourites and definitely in my top 150......

16th December 2017

This is a great whisky, different yes, but very good and one of my favourites. Not sure where to place it in my top 200 though....

15th December 2017

Well.. I don't know what to say.
I've been drinking around 200 whiskies and this didn't fit in top 150 and I've been drinking many cheep blends and bourbon's.
The nose was good though.. and maybe I could give the aftertase credit as well.
Overall this is nothing you should pay this much for!

14th December 2017

Blechh- bitter after taste that clings to the back of the tongue- surprising given that the aroma upfront wasn’t bad.

30th October 2017

Well, I cannot speak to the taste as far a liquor goes; I don't drink. However, I am an herbalist and I looked far and wide for a true Scotch BARLEY whiskey to make elderberry extract. You see, not only is elderberry one of the primo herbs for respiratory issues, BARLEY also has an affinity for the respiratory system. So, combining them makes an extract that is potent---POTENT!!
In addition, the McEwans are kin. My name--Ewing--is a derivative, you might say, of McEwan. I'm Scottish with some Irish and English thrown in; my soul is Celtic. And, what's not to like with a name like Classic Laddie. :) Elizabeth Ewing Wenig

18th October 2017

Interesting Whisky, I like it. The scent reminds me of a field of fresh cut hay. I enjoy a broad cross section of Whiskys from big peaty scotches to American Rye and I purchased this a second time as a taste experience for my Wife. Her favorite is an Irish cask strength and my hope was she would enjoy the unpeated Islay flavor profile. She does. Not a typical Islay but very approachable with apples, honey, cinnamon and a bit of smoke. Nicely done.

17th October 2017

Baby spit up

17th October 2017

I love the smell of apples, and cinnamon I get from this scotch. I read some reviews saying how young it is; however, when looking up the barrels in my particular bottle the youngest was a 2009 and the oldest 2002 with the rest being in between those ages, and yes there were over 9 different casks to bring this whisky together. I find that the blending in which Bruichladdich went for really stands out as a unique whisky and being an Islay that's 100 proof can shock some. It's also important to note that there are no color additives so this spirit has a light gold color; however, the flavor and smell are intense... in a good way. I got the hint of apples, cinnamon, and honey with some smoke (the smokiness coming from used oak casks most likely; it's an unpeated whisky). I added about three drops of water and it opens up a little further. I recommend drinking it neat and adding a little water when finishing it to really experience the many notes in this spirit. Highly recommended.

29th August 2017

A young vibrant whiskey, non-chill filtered, no added color, and bottled at 50%. Sweet barley sugar, caramelized sugar, honey, grain, and floral aromatics on the nose. Same barley and honey sweetness on the palate with slight smoke and coastal notes into the finish. This is a young and potent whiskey, but one that utilizes very high quality ingredients and offers a craft presentation.

16th July 2017

Smooth and easy to drink. Smoky flavour integrated well with the rest of the notes

19th May 2017

I read so many negative reviews I had to revisit mine am a.definite Islay whisky fan and this though milder than say the Charlotte offers so much
I love variety I never have the same whisky on the same night I always alternate on the same evening I find it better to contemplate what each seperate whisky offers...I loved this version its roughness ,its saltiness and the long satisfying aftertaste....dont listen to reviewers too much,make up your own mind!

9th April 2017

This was stated on the label to be "The Classic Bruichladdich". Now, I remember the Classic Bruichladdich from the 1970s and 1980s, and it was a silky, elegant, lightly peated, but still assertive Islay malt - unlike the heavy-duty creosote of most of the Islay offerings. It was up there with Scapa and Highland Park in complexity of flavour. This stuff is so rough on the palate that you have to add water and, once you do that, so uninteresting, that for once I can understand why the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission has delisted a malt. The lurid swimming-pool-aqua-blue bottle should have been a warning, but it was $20 off ($40 off would have been more like a fair price). There are now so many Bruichladdich varieties that you can no longer tell which one is the one that made the distillery's reputation. Get back to the real thing, guys.

28th November 2016

Open her up with a touch of water. It gets better.

22nd October 2016

Despite the beautiful and suspicious package, there's not much to say about this single malt. Nice aroma, apples, pears, cinnamon, a hint of salt. But the taste is uninspiring, and fades away quickly. Plus, it's expensive.

7th October 2016

This scotch tastes like being 8 years old at the end of summer, smashing stink bugs and playing with rubber superballs. It has a sweaty aftertaste and a kind of lemony vanilla aroma, like having played with ants for a few hours in the hot sun, then sucking on an old, stale box of lemon heads. Ants. That's it. I'm sure there are some ants in this scotch.

4th October 2016

Based on reviews I think this bottle may have a large batch to batch variation.

The bottle I tried at a restaurant was brilliant. Screamed creme brulee at me and I felt the oak used was of particularly flavorful - it had an oakiness that felt more... textured than other woody whiskys I've tried. It's on my bottle buy list... I just hope I get one that's as good as what I've tried. It blew away the Dalmore 15 that disappointed night before.

Regarding people saying it's youthful... I wonder if this is due to less experienced palates perceiving the 50% abv as youth or perhaps people not letting the whisky open up before drinking it. I prefer cask strength whiskys and found this quite interesting - something about it stood out from the usual toffeed fruit butterscotch, type profile.

As a side note... I tasted this whisky with very low expectations. I hate the packaging too. But what I tried inside was brilliant. For reference, I'm a Springbank and Ardbeg fan... and prefer virgin, bourbon or medium sherry cask influences to the sherry cask monsters that have become fashionable of late. I do agree that they should slap an age onto it even if it just says 6yo. Let the flavor speak for itself like the Indian whiskys do.

Cheers.

7th September 2016

Perhaps, the worst single malt that has flowed down this seasoned gullet. I truly believe that specialty niche marketing has gone too far with this brew. Please do not waste your money or time on this one. RL in Virginia, USA.

9th August 2016

What on earth are Bruichladdich playing at? Don't get me wrong, I'm a MASSIVE fan of distilleries (wherever they are) experimenting and Bruichladdich certainly aren't afraid of taking risks. This, however, in my opinion, was a huge mistake to release. Absolutely no complexity at all - it's obviously VERY young and it tastes it. Very pale colour and utterly one-dimensional in terms of flavour. They need to take a leaf out of Buffalo Trace's book when it comes to experimentation - they have done some incredible things and they release their "experiments" at sensible prices. This might be the most overpriced whisky I have ever had the misfortune of buying. Avoid at all costs.

17th July 2016

First of I dislike the price and the packaging! to me it doesn't sit well in the collection (not an important problem but a problem none the less)

At first I disliked his whisky, I felt it was too young and aggressive a week or so later, it opened up some more. still not anything special but different. Strong aromas is sea air, sugar and fresh fruit. Strong taste of toffee, white and bitter chocolate.

release this malt as a 10-12 year and it will open up enough to become a good staple.

2nd June 2016

Bad whisky-poor quality oak and too young- 50$-never again Bruchladdich-after it was sold to corporation look for this distillery to go belly up again shortly

18th April 2016

Now I am definitely a peat head and I keep a number of different peaty Islay whiskies on hand but thought I would try this for a change and I am quite impressed. Lots of fruit and honey with a thin wisp of sweet wood smoke and a slightly salty coastal tang present in the sweet/fruity finish, just delightful. Also its 100 proof, non chill filtered,no added color, really can't say anything bad about this other than that it's difficult to tell how much is left in the bottle. But the malt itself is superb a very different and delicious taste of Islay(I might even like this more than Bunnahabhain 12). The Sugarbear

23rd February 2016

They were obviously trying to do something very different and they certainly achieved that. I love this scotch. Great presentation, love the opaque bottle.

31st January 2016

This is a good, simple whisky. Fruit, toffee and butterscotch on the nose and the palate. Not fancy at all, and not complex. There is a place for the simple.

I am glad to have sampled this whisky, and will savor the rest of the bottle. It's not at the top of the list of my favorites, but it's a quality, perhaps a wee bit overpriced, dram.

5th January 2016

The same rich caramel fruity spiciness as the edition_01. Of course it needs water.

15th December 2015

A+

14th November 2015

Utterly undrinkable it should not be sold to anyone. Awful and disgusting. I can't believe anyone would buy this. I love it.

2nd September 2015

I agree that the packaging is a little suspect -- Wedgewood blue, not chance to see the colour -- plus all the wonderful authenticity marketing -- sounds like a Feragamo shoe -- it is just a shoe.

However, I do enjoy it's softness and am glad the distillery is back in business. It is a very good introduction to the world of scotch (that is my weakness, Chicago, 1976... a whole world opening to me).

I'd give it 3.5 -- distracting packaging --

29th August 2015

Smooth, light with nice flavors. Would like to know the age.

20th June 2015

The opaque bottle should have been a warning. This stuff is so young that it barely has any colouration at all. I'd imagine that's why they've hidden the liquid behind a "snazzy" bit of packaging. The nose is weak, smelling very much like a white dog, almost with that "corn" smell. The taste is no better - one-dimensional, weak and completely uninspiring. The best word I can use to describe this is "insipid". Absolutely underwhelming. It's on our backbar at work and it's a fitting testament that not one single customer has EVER had a second helping of this. It'll be going in the bin if it doesn't sell soon because I wouldn't even drink it for free!! Avoid.

20th May 2015

I really enjoy the light subtleties of this whiskey. It is soft and delicately sweet. Some hints of tropical fruit come through. I find it almost too light. I notice different flavors depending on what I have had in my mouth before. If my palate is extremely clean, I sense some smoke in here even though the malt is unpeated. I find it excellent and different.

26th December 2014

I have come to appreciate older single malt whiskeys. After purchasing a bottle of The Classic Laddie AND THEN researching the age (maturity), I was curious as to how much body and character The Classic Laddie would possess. Wow! From the aroma of the barley and the gentle flavors that emerge with each sip this one is a real treasure. I am an instant fan!

6th December 2014

This is simply the best single malt I've had the pleasure to taste

15th November 2014

First of all, whisky chicks tend to dig this one. Guys, not as much overall. I find it to be quite enjoyable but overly simple. Why? Probably the age. It's too young for the price. But still, it is quite nice. I like the 50% ABV. I'm one notch above "meh" as I drink the Scottish Barley. Tasted it last summer at a whisky event in Portland Oregon. We don't have this here yet, however, that I know of. A friend of mine brought a bottle back from Scotland. It tastes better at room temperature for sure, as do most whiskies. I have not added water yet. It needs a few drops. Thanks again for 50%. I do love adding water to taste. It's an artform that I love. Tiny tiny spoon with a few drops at a time to arrive at perfection. Last comment: NAS trend sucks. I'm 48 years old. You will never train this middle aged dog to pay more money for less information. I want to know how many years are in the bottles I buy. Hey, I've spent a lot of dough on young whiskies from time to time, and I don't mind at all. The Octomores are terrific! But keep the age statement on the bottles, please. NAS is for the birds.

13th November 2014

First the positive. I have never seen a whisky with such legs. It's quit amazing how thick it is and how it clings to the glass, a credit to unchill filted whisky and 50%.

But, I have also never had a whisky with such a soft nose. It's like sniffing water, at first. Add a little water and let it sit and you will start to pick things up, Lemons, Straw, musty wood. But only with water.

Be sure not to ad too much water. Despite the 50% this whisky is easily washed out. It is a soft whisky.

The other problem is the lack of an age statement. I don't mind if a whisky is young, if its good quality. Just say it on the bottle. Sadly Bruichladdich, a distillery I love, seems to be flirting with the smoke and mirrors of NAS and fancy bottles. They have discontinued the 10 and put this out to replace it at the same price (where I am) but fudged on the age and hoped that Jim McEwan's beguiling words would win us over. But it's not in the bottle. Just put a year on it guys, come on.

4th November 2014

I tried this as an end to a lovely dinner. I was the first recipient of the restaurants first bottle and I hope they've still got some left. It's powerful in scent and alcohol but the taste is broad and well balanced with the most exquisite complexity.

This whisky hits with an instant alcohol lip numb which fades into a pleasing tingle, the mouthfeel is smooth and coating.

The flavour is strong with or without water, instant bright fruit more apple than citrus and then the barley warmth to settle it down, finishing with a hint of sea air and smoke.

Water broadens the fruitiness of the dram and brings a slightly floral character which settles the brightness making it more palatable.

A magnificent malt, well worth every penny

6th October 2014

I think this whisky is a true experience. the website may fluff things up a bit, but there is some truth there: it is a beautiful dram, from nose to finish. it is as forward out of the bottle as it is delicate after a drop of water and some time. the barley really shines throughout the tasting, cereal sweetness rides along the barrel's nutty vanilla flavors. I was pleasantly surprised, even with relatively high expectations!

3rd September 2014

Beautiful aromatics of apricot, honey, and fresh grain which carried over into the palate. Very reminiscent of a high end Midelton offering. After four glasses I must admit I almost felt high instead of a typical alcoholic experience, very interesting stuff indeed. Impossible to dislike this dram.

5th July 2014

It's an Islay because it's made on Islay, not because it's peated.

8th June 2014

It tasted like I was eating salted oatmeal, with crispy pieces of apple and citrusfruit. A little hint of smoke, but not enough in my opinion. The palate starts of oily but ends up dry because of the salt/zest. The finish is tick oak.
Very drinkable whisky with enough to keep you interested, but wouldn't call it an Islay.

3rd June 2014