Bruichladdich Classic Laddie 10 Year Old 70cl
Islay without the smoke. The Classic Laddie is Bruichladdich's flagship unpeated malt — proof that the island can do bright, floral and mineral just as well as it does peat.
Bruichladdich sits on the shore of Loch Indaal on Islay's west coast, rebuilt in 2001 by a group who bet on terroir, transparency and Scottish barley. The Classic Laddie is 100% Scottish-grown barley, matured on the island in a mix of predominantly ex-bourbon casks with some wine wood, and bottled unchill-filtered at a generous 50%. It carries no age statement — it's a marriage of casks chosen for character rather than a number.
The nose is fragrant and coastal: green apple, lemon zest, fresh malty dough and a gentle hint of warm sand. The palate is punchier than the pale colour suggests, carrying its 50% with an oily, mouth-coating texture — black pepper and ginger up front, then honeyed porridge, malted biscuit and a mineral, hay-like core. The finish dries out nicely with oak, salted caramel and a salty breath of sea air.
At £58.99 this is one of the more characterful everyday Islay malts around, and a brilliant way to show a smoke-sceptic what the island can do. I'd keep a bottle open year-round.
How to Serve
Neat in a tulip glass. At 50% it definitely rewards a splash of water, which softens the pepper and brings the fruit and malt forward — add it slowly.
Where to Drink It
Black Rock in Shoreditch for its whisky-first approach. Swift in Soho for a smart neat pour. The American Bar at The Savoy for something more refined.
Food Pairings
Try it with fresh oysters or seared scallops. Smoked salmon on brown bread works beautifully too.
