Our signature bottling and the definitive Bruichladdich. Showcasing the classic, floral and elegant Bruichladdich house style, The Classic Laddie is made from 100% Scottish barley, trickle distilled, non-chill filtered and colouring free.
The foundation for our Classic Laddie is not a recipe set in stone, but a distilling philosophy. We have no interest in precise uniformity, instead - year by year - the variety and provenance of our barley shapes our spirit, and an ever-increasing range of casks are sourced to evolve the variety of flavours in our warehouse. Never striving for absolute consistency, each batch of The Classic Laddie will, by nature, be unique and subtly different.
Creating the Classic Laddie is one of the most complex and demanding responsibilities bestowed upon our Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, who curates this assemblage of our finest spirits by hand to achieve our signature fruity and floral Bruichladdich house style. Composing each unique recipe is a rigorous process. Adam must systematically sample and evaluate every spirit by nose, taste and mouthfeel.
It is painstaking and difficult work, requiring a clear head and many checks, pauses and re-evaluations over many weeks. The final formula is decided in the quiet of his sample room.
We bottle our Classic Laddie at 50% alcohol by volume as opposed to the average of 40-46%. The flavour of our spirit at 50% ABV is barley forward, meaning you taste more of the Scottish malt we have worked hard to trace. We will not stretch our spirit and compromise on quality for the sake of profit.
Colour
Summer barley
Nose
Barley sugar and a hint of mint open before moving into freshly cut wild flowers; buttercup, daisy, meadowsweet, myrtle, primrose and cherry blossom. Delicate zephyrs of spindrift and sea pinks are a reminder that this spirit is matured exclusively beside the sea. Over time, and with the addition of a little water, caramelised fruit notes come to the fore, with hints of lemon drops, honey, tangerine and tablet.
Palate
Refined and refreshing, sweet oak and barley notes come together in perfect harmony. Ripe green fruits, brown sugar and sweet malt follow, showcasing the remarkable flavour of the Scottish barley used in this single malt.
Finish
Smooth and well rounded, the finish showcases the elegant balance between the sprightly, vibrant fruit and the subtle sea-spray notes.
