Bruichladdich Black Art 09.1

Bruichladdich Black Art 09.1, 29 YO, 44.1 %

This is the oldest release in the Black Art series so far, and this is Adam Hannett’s fifth release in the series. Bruichladdich Black Art 09.1 is vintage 1992 and bottled 2021, limited to 12000 bottles.

Less than 1 % of the whisky currently in the Bruichladdich warehouses was distilled before the re-opening of the distillery back in 2001, so this is truly a rare and unique whisky.

The Bruichladdich Black Art 09.1 sells for NOK 3406 (13708801) in Norway. It is still available from the Bruichladdich online shop at GBP 375.

Nose: Rich and aromatic. Red berries, stewed fruit and tropical fruit. Leather and tobacco leaves. With time also softly oaky, and notes of rich chocolate with honey and plum jam filling. With time a rich and warming oakiness of the caressing kind, not the oppressive kind.

Taste: Full bodied and intense. Highly concentrated notes of plums, raisins, sherry soaked dried apricot and figs. Dry-ish in character and a little oaky. Mild spices lingering in the background. Over ripe mango, coconut and unsalted peanuts.

Finish: Long finish. Darker now. Notes of tobacco, dark chocolate and leather. Plum jam still. Hint of mint and citrus in the end. Softly tannic, but again the oakiness is more a “spice” than an overwhelming element.

Comment: Very complex and rich. A worthy continuation of this legendary series.

Score 89/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas