Bruichladdich Classic Laddie

The bright blue bottle is a giveaway before you have even read the label. The Classic Laddie is Bruichladdich's flagship, and it makes its case on barley rather than peat.

Made on the shore of Loch Indaal on Islay, this is an unpeated malt drawn from 100% Scottish barley, some of it grown on the island. Bruichladdich are unusually open about provenance, and the whisky is trickle-distilled on original Victorian equipment before maturing in a mix of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry and wine casks. There is no age statement; the aim is a house style rather than a number.

The nose is sweet and clean: honeyed barley, boiled sweets and orange blossom, with a wash of sea air behind it. The palate brings red apple and white grape, sweet cinnamon and brown sugar, closing on mineral malt, toffee and more honey. Bottled at 50%, non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, that higher strength pushes the barley forward. It takes water kindly, so add a drop if you find the first sip a touch warm.

An easy everyday Islay for people who assume the island only makes smoke, and a genuinely good pour for the price.

How to Serve

Neat in a Glencairn to read the barley, or a splash of water to soften the 50% and widen the orchard fruit.

Where to Drink It

Soho Whisky Club, a friendly spot to explore Islay beyond the peat. Boisdale, whose Scottish leanings suit a barley-forward malt. Black Rock in Shoreditch for a relaxed, well-stocked evening.

Food Pairings

I would keep it simple with a mature cheddar, or a handful of salted almonds while the bottle does the rest.