Bruichladdich 24 Year (1992), Signatory Vintage Cask 3088 for The Nectar — Whiskery Turnip

Oct 14

Oct 14 Bruichladdich 24 Year (1992), Signatory Vintage Cask 3088 for The Nectar

Whiskery Turnip

Scotch

Whisky: Bruichladdich 24 Year (1992), Signatory Vintage Cask 3088 for The Nectar

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 51.9%

Cask: Hogshead

Age: 24 Years (Distilled 21 Oct. 1992, Bottled 2 Oct. 2017)

Nose: Coastal with driftwood, saltine crackers, beachy minerals and sand, dried grass, hints of fruits and coconut around the edges, chocolate at times.

Palate: Light to medium-bodied, slightly oily, gentle, more citrus and tropical fruits upfront, beachy minerals, driftwood, grass, wispy pipe tobacco.

Finish: Medium-length and gentle with coastal brine, dried grass, and beach sand.

Score: 7 (83)

Mental Image: Beach Quandaries: Nap or Wander

Narrative & Notes: Saltine crackers by the sea— dry unleavened bread, wispy beach minerals and sand, a kiss of brine, and dried grass with hints of mint. Distant fruit carts offered a tangy diversion— if only it was worth the walk in the hot sun past driftwood and rusted metal drums. Coconut oils and a touch of bronzer sat closer at hand with hot chocolate cooling in a nearby mug. Light to medium-bodied and slightly oily, the flavor profile started closer to the fruit carts with lemon and hints of sliced pineapple, melon, and mango all tossed in a plastic bag. A gentle beachy-mineral brine ran throughout with old driftwood, seashells, dried grass, and a hint of pipe tobacco smoke. The finish was medium-length and gentle with soft coastal brine, dried grass, and beach minerals.

Fairly standard for some of these old Bruichladdich; not nearly as rambunctious and full-throttle as the malts produced after the reawakening of the distillery in 2001. Those malts have almost hit the same age as this and I wish I had some to pour side by side with this while reviewing it. Alas, I made do with a few slightly younger examples which generally lack some of the mellow coastal and old wood qualities of these early 90s or 80s Bruichladdich.

Overall, mellow and nice— not quite on the same level as some of the gems of the era, but still delicious.