Bourbon aged Scotches

[Dave]

(An earlier thread made me remember this) Although I haven't bought a scotch in some 2 years, a good client just did a trade with me, so I recieved a bottle of Bruichladdich 15yr. I chose this bottling because it's from 80-85% first fill bourbon casks (OK, barrels. But once they're taken apart and put back together, they're casks). In any event it was really neat to nose and taste the bourbon in this product, which I have been unable to detect in other bourbon-aged scotches.

Anybody else WHO LIKES SCOTCH have a similar experience with any other bottlings? And if you don't like Scotch, then there is no need for you to comment.

[dgonano]

I haven't been able to detect the bourbon as most are either peaty or finished in sherry casks, Dave. I do have an unopened Bruichladdich 15 in the bunker and it is on my "next to drink list ". I will let you know my thoughts. I understand that has little peat for an Islay.

[Dave]

I understand that has little peat for an Islay.

True it's not what most Islay affectionados clamour after, but it's a fine malt and the new owners are going places (to watch out for). Bunnahabbain (sp) is the only Islay that is more delicate. Incidently, the Bruichladdich 10 is quite unlike the 15, but in it's own right worth keeping an eye out for. No caramels, No chill filtering, really attempting to do the "local product-good people" thing.

[White Lightning]

Try their cask strength 89. I believe it is straight bourbon barrel. McEwan seems very fond of the "wholesome" product thing and if I'm not mistaking they are "chateau" status.

Balvanie has a single barrel that has boubon qualities.

What I find interesting is Laphroaig (also from Islay like Bruichladdich) is said to produce it's better whisky from recycled Jack barrels. Frankly I'm surprised with all the legal technicalities etc. that no one has called them on the carpet for stating their products are matured in "bourbon" casks.

[The Whiskey Viking]

What I find interesting is Laphroaig (also from Islay like Bruichladdich) is said to produce it's better whisky from recycled Jack barrels. Frankly I'm surprised with all the legal technicalities etc. that no one has called them on the carpet for stating their products are matured in "bourbon" casks.

That is, assuming the Scottish distillers know the difference

[Brewer]

True it's not what most Islay affectionados clamour after, but it's a fine malt and the new owners are going places (to watch out for). Incidently, the Bruichladdich 10 is quite unlike the 15, but in it's own right worth keeping an eye out for. No caramels, No chill filtering, really attempting to do the "local product-good people" thing.

Dave,

Of all the Scotch regions, Islay produces my favorite style of single malt. Although Bruichladdich is not as overpowering as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, I have found it to be a VERY good product. I was intoduced to their line at WhiskyFest in NY 2 years ago. I tasted their 1970 bottling and it blew me away! It was fantastic! I've since bought the 10 year old which I enjoy. At this years WhiskyFest, I tried their Full Strength 1989 and their 20 year old. Both were good, but I enjoyed the 20 year old better. Each year, I've also had an opportunity to talk with Jim McEwan, who is their distilller, and a very nice guy as well.

I highly recommend people that like Scotch to try Bruichladdich's products. They are very good, and as Dave noted, no additional crap to mask the product!

[rickduff]

I recently toured Abelour Distillery (in Scotland) and bottled one of their two choices at the end of the tour. You can fill a bottle with Sherry Cask or Bourbon Cask Scotch. The "Bourbon" barrel was from Jack Daniels..
Now, we all know Jack Daniels technically isn't Bourbon...but Tennessee Style Whiskey... so is it ok for them to label this as Bourbon Cask Scotch?
I suppose they look at it as the barrel (cask) itself was made for bourbon.

Thoughts?

[bourbonv]

The sad fact is that everywhere else in the world (and in most bars in the United States as far as that goes), Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 is considered a bourbon whiskey. Since that is the case, the Scotch Whisky Industry is going to consider JD barrels bourbon barrels. In reality, these barrels will give pretty much the same flavor as a bourbon barrel. Any extra smokiness from the charcoal mellowing will be hidden by the Scotch whisky smokiness.

Mike Veach

[John Wesley]

Glenmorangie 10 and Glenmorangie Astar are aged in used Jack Daniels casks. Both are superb young Scotch Whiskies. I believe the Bruchladdich 10 and 12 may use bourbon casks. You can certainly detect the typical vanilla bourbon type notes in both the Glenmorangie whiskies.

JW