Bruichladdich 18 Review - Does a Bigger Age Statement Mean That Much Better Whisky...?

Bruichladdich are popular among whisky TH-camrs like me for a reason: their whiskies are properly presented, they focus on craft and sustainability, and some of their whiskies are even good values. This new core range 18 Year Age Statement whisky is no exception, with a 50% ABV, being properly presented, and boasting new levels of sustainability in its packaging and transparency in the information available about it. So, the expectations are high for this well-aged bottling. More than twice as old as most off the Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte releases in the core ranges, can it be twice as good as those quality whiskies? What if I told you that more years on the age statement do not guarantee that much higher quality ...?
Does this one meet the expectations, or is it an example of a bottle that proves age in the warehouse is just one of many factors? In this video I'll taste this highly anticipated whisky, share my review and rating, and answer these questions. I'll also share how this whisky ranked in a blind flight where I didn't know what was in the flight. The results may surprise you ...
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Intro - 00:00
Sustainable Packaging - 00:45
Transparency - 02:37
Nosing - 03:48
Palate - 06:07
Finish - 06:43
With Water - 08:42
Review & Rating - 11:15
Inquiries: [e-mail]
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[@KakoGuzmanMusic]

I was just at Feis Ile a few weeks ago and tasted about 80 malts in nine days; this was one of my favorites. I also got to taste some really old PCs and Bruichladdich, including a 17 y/o Octomore, 20 y/o PC, and 20 y/o Bruichladdich. My conclusion is that PC and Octomore generally don't get better with age, but Bruichladdich does. However, comparing this 18 to younger Bruichladdich (Islay Barley, for example) I don't think it's worth twice as much. I'm generally very sensitive to bitterness and I experienced the opposite of what you did, and I don't recall ever thinking that a Bruichladdich/PC/Octomore was bitter. From memory and my notes, this 18 tasted very sweet, complex, and balanced to me -- a burst of vanilla and ripe fruit. I will open my bottle in a few months and come back to this video and see if my impression has changed. Thanks for the review.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Thanks for the honest and very informative review. I only had money for either the Port Charlotte 18 year or the Bruichladdich 18 year. I got the port Charlotte 18 year as it was more rare and I was curious about an 18 year Peated Scotch. Hopefully next time this one comes around I can try it.

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Still haven't had my chance at the PC 18 ... Cheers!

[@christinecamley]

Love this beauty! I prefer the Port Charlotte 18 and recently had both. Lovely scotch! Love the new bottle! Both are delicious - Port Charlotte is my fave of the two!! I'd happily have either!! I didn't find the Bruichladdich 18 too hot. Love the nosing and palette on this beauty! Cheers!! :-)

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Still waiting to get a chance at the PC 18. Looking forward to it!

[@Altosax449]

Love your honesty… love Bruichladdie but I’ll give that one a miss.

[@whiskywhereabouts]

I love them, too. Just didn't love this one.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Nice one Tim, honest, open and fair review. I rarely find water helps with whiskies. You either lose the nose or the palate or sometimes both which is just crap. Cheers man for the great review 🥃

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Thanks!

[@hordeum-vulgare]

I'm a big fan of Bruichladdich: the Islay Barleys in particular, as well as the lovely PC 10 YO. However, I've suspected there are diminishing returns in chasing age with Bruichladdich. Thanks for your forthright opinions on the 18 YO, mate.

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Appreciate it!

[@teddyballgame25]

I don’t think it’s a miss, it just doesn’t age out the farmy lactic notes. The Classic has them and I still like the whisky, but I expected a more mature version. Barely accomplishes that…

[@steveno7058]

Farmy notes is a plus. Look at 25-35 year old Brora. People expect those complex farmy and not a smooth whisky

[@whiskywhereabouts]

It certainly doesn't present $120 more mature.

[@atothek302]

Great review. Adam got too cute w this one IMO. The Sauternes casks stand out in an unpleasant way imo

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Something seems out of balance.

[@steveno7058]

Got a very different experience. I think its great and very complex. To my palate it wasn’t overly bitter at all. There are some sour and bitter flavors but they are nicely balanced by sweetness. Sounds like a possible bad batch or bad cork?

[@whiskywhereabouts]

This one is new enough that I'm not sure how batchy it is yet. We'll have to look out for that.

[@utoobia]

I don’t detect these problems with my bottle, not even the neck pour. It is absolutely overpriced though. Mine improved a lot over 3 months of being open. It’s now good, not “meh”. I’d buy again at $120 - That’s what it’s worth to me.

[@whiskywhereabouts]

That's a really good price on this bottle. Cheers!

[@utoobia]

@@whiskywhereabouts IF I could get it at $120. I can’t.

[@ralff1977]

I don't like the dextrose-like taste of it. I'd never pick a standard Bruichladdich of I could have a Port Charlotte instead.

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Fair enough. Bruichladdich usually has its distinctive flavors in balance, for me, but not as much this time.

[@Whiskyfan519]

Sour lactic = baby vomit. Yeah I'm good on this one. If it's anything like classic laddie I'm out. Bruichladdich in general has this. With water you can find it in the pc10