Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2014

Nose: there's a very light floral element here, I'm getting hints of mint potentially? Sweet malt, vanilla, very gentle baking spices. Light brown sugar, I can definitely see the "delicate notes of nutmeg and hazelnut" that they describe on the official tasting notes. Honeyed pear, very subtle hints of melon Palate: vanilla cream and lemon. Very malt forward. Creamy and oily texture. Butterscotch, honey, hints of peach. A pronounced oakiness. Cinnamon and other baking spices come through very subtly. Theres a subtle brine/sea spray that presents itself as it transitions to the finish. As it sits in opens up, the peach element comes out big time. Really unique. Finish: stonefruit, lightly floral, oak tannin. Vanilla creme brulee

Nose: let this open a bit more than usual before nosing this time. sweet vanilla cream, fresh cut wood/varnish, orchard fruit almost an apple cinnamon note here now. Lightly floral, honeyed malt. Now subtle citrus peel, a very light caramel. A very slight hint of buttered popcorn. A sea breeze is present in the background. Palate: fresh orchard fruit, apple and pear with a peachy note too. Creamy vanilla, tannic oak with a nice baking spice note that feels light on the palate. A moderate lemon peel is present here too. Nice Salinity appears most prominently as it transitions to the finish. Theres also definitely a bit of a farmy/grassy element here too. Finish: nice and warming, lightly bitter/tannic oak, apple peel.

Nose: vanilla, cereal, lemon meringue. Bright floral Note, somewhere between rose petal and Jasmine. A touch of brine. Honey. A few drops of water bring out a fruitier side, poached pear and crisp Fuji apple, maybe even a hint of melon Palate: honey, lemon meringue pie (crust and all!), vanilla custard. Sweet malt, a tiny hint of milk chocolate. A little bit of orchard fruit, namely apple. Some light caramel, soft wood spice. Salinity is present here but not super strong. Water mellows it out, and brings forth the sweeter malt notes and vanilla, mutes the citrus a bit. Finish: somewhat lengthy, cereal, lemon zest, baking spice and oak tannin. After a while, a subtle jasmine green tea note develops.

Legs: many, slow, and thin. Nosing: Clean cereal, honey, and floral notes. Fresh lemon zest follows. Tasting: Lots of body, very smooth straight. Initial pleasant sweetness, followed by a slight bitter finish (not unpleasant). Cereal, aged oak, honey and vanilla. Citrus upon aeration. Reduced Nosing: Added a few drops of water. More notes of cereal. Surprisingly, getting notes of tortilla chips. Still floral; honey and lemon zest absent. Reduced Tasting: Getting a lot more wood. Water has made dram smoother than before. More sweetness is drawn out. For such a simple dram, there's a ton of care put into this series! I'm amazed at how complex this simple dram is every time I drink it!

Nose: lemon creme brulee, peach, vanilla cream, light brown sugar, honeyed malt, A gentle sea breeze Palate: a sweet malt note, a more robust salinity than I remember. Lemon peel. Vanilla whipped cream. A few drops of water brings out a little bit of spiky/sharp oak and crisp green apple skin. Oddly, addition of water brings out a substantial and lasting heat on the palate along with a touch of white pepper and increased minerality. Also more caramel and vanilla. Interesting and unique though I think I prefer it @ full proof. Finish: moderately briny, lasting but gentle oak tannin. Mildly extra heat after the water addition

Went to pour the last of the bottle and found there were two pours left, always a great feeling! Nose: immediate honey, opens to sweet malt, creamy vanilla, and oranges marmalade with a touch of lemon merengue/lemon bars. A light touch of caramel and bruleed peach Palate: light and almost effervescent while remaining complex and full bodied. Honey. Sweet cerealy malt. Vanilla cream. A nice salt air breeze. Fresh tannic oak. A bit of cinnamon and ginger. Finish: moderately saline with a nice mellow oak tannin and warming spice.