Bruichladdich – Progressive Hebridean Distiller

Tonight’s Glengarry Malt Club was an exploration of whiskies from the ‘Laddie’.

The story of Bruichladdich (Brook-laddy) dates back to their establishment in 1881 by the Harvey family who took advantage of the increased demand for Scottish Whisky as a result of the  Phylloxera epidemic which had decimated the production of European wine and brandy.

The subsequent story reads like an epic drama, including four periods of closure and mothballing for The Great Depression, World War 2 and the corporate intrigues of mergers and acquisitions.

New ownership and production starting in May 2001 signalled reinvention crucially with former Bowmore manager Jim McEwan brought in as Production Director.

Bruichladdich today produces a vast range of styles and we tasted various expressions.  First up the Norrie Campbell 3D Third Edition was a peaty little monster which was a blend of three vintages from three warehouses and a real palette cleanser. A good alternative for your die hard Laphroaig drinker.

The next three expressions were an object lesson in Sherry cask treatment. Fino Oloroso ’98 had nutty characteristics, Manzinilla ’98 was more complex in nature and Fino Sherry ’92 was dry with a unique light touch.

We finished with two ‘Laddies’ from the mysterious Black Art Series – a cask strength (51%) 19 year old and a 49% 21 yr old. Both a secret blend from various Sherry/Bourbon aged selections and possibily some contact from a Cabernet Sauvignon cask. Both delicious and deserving of closer attention.

The whiskies were accompanied by a fine selection of NZ and European cheeses and as a special treat Royal Legacy Drambuie – the world’s finest cask infused malt whisky liqueur (imagine the best Rusty Nail you’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking).

Add to this a bag piper, haggis in a tapas stylee and good craic. What’s not to like?

Buy your Bruichladdich whisky here.

Next Malt Club is on July 21st (probably featuring the Jura and Dalmore range) and also a tasting of the new rendition of Shackleton’s MacKinley Whisky.

Whisky Galore!

The third Thursday of each month sees Malt Club at Glengarry Wine’s Victoria Park store.  It’s hosted by Glengarry head honcho and whisky enthusiast Jak Jakievich which explains their fine in-store selection of single malt whiskies.

As befits my heritage, I know a little bit about Irish Whiskey but I am a relative novice when it comes  their Scottish counterparts.

The format this month was a blind tasting with eight Malts up for identification and discussion.  Jak gave us newbies a brief introduction to Scotland’s whisky regions Speyside,  Highlands, Lowlands, Islay and the islands with an explanation of their various styles from peaty and briney Island malts to the richer chocolately Highland styles.

Whilst my team of novices had no chance of identifying the brands, we certainly had fun sampling the delicious range of styles on offer. The rich and caramelley Chivas Regal 18yo and toffee banana nosed McCallan 10yo were personal favourites and were complemented nicely by a fine selection of cheeses from Dida’s – Glengarry’s on-site Spanish Tapas Bar.

We also sighted one of the first bottles in New Zealand of the resurrected Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt. A faithful recreation of the whisky which was recovered from beneath Shakelton’s Arctic hut last year, abandonned after his unsuccessful South Pole expedition in 1907. After analysis it was recreated by Richard Paterson, master blender at Whyte and Mackay. It comes in authentic period packaging and will only be available in extremely limited numbers.

Malt Club was fun and filled with gregarious chaps (and a couple of ladies) one of whom won a bottle of Jura having correctly identified four of the featured whiskies.

I’m particularly excited about Tuesday August 16th  when Malt Club will flip the script and have a rum special hosted by Mount Gay Global Brand Ambassador, Chester Brown. A rare chance to catch this legendary character in New Zealand.

Malt Club happens again on June 23rd. Check their website for details of upcoming events.