Bruichladdich Black Art 9 Release 29 Year Old

In an era when efficiency was promoted over quality, the Bruichladdich Distillery was considered irredeemably old-fashioned. The single malt produced before their closure in 1994 now equates to less than 1% of all the ‘pre-renaissance’ whisky still maturing in their warehouses. Their oldest spirits have become some of their rarest and most treasured. Ensuring the eloquent work of their predecessors is given the closest attention, this finite 1992 vintage has been nurtured on its 29-year journey from cask to cask by Bruichladdich’s head distiller, Adam Hannett. Matured in unrivalled quality oak, this unpeated spirit’s recipe is held in absolute secret – as is customary with every Black Art edition before it. This 9th edition is their most alchemic single malt and is the oldest ever. This is the quintessential Black Art: Edition 09.1.

Colour: Russet.
Nose: Simply stunning. Tropical fruit, coconut, tobacco, oak spices and toasted pine needles weave an intricate web of aromas. With a bit of time, this beautiful whisky opens up to waves of mango, honey-drizzled melon, warm orange zest, grilled pineapple and ripe summer strawberries. It’s mouth-wateringly succulent and fruity – the gentle oak offering coconut, ginger, buttery shortbread, vanilla custard and hints of tobacco.

Palate: The viscosity and depth to this dram are out of this world; the oak notes of tobacco and brown sugar, chocolate and coconut provide the base for all those wonderful fruit combinations to shine. A drop of water and a second sip further explore the woven layers of this remarkable whisky.

Finish: The succulent fruit sweetness lasts for an age on the palate, apricot, mango and baked banana, toasted sweet oak, honey and vanilla – you just don’t want it to end.

Character: With this edition of Black Art, inspiration was taken from the groundwork done in creating the first editions of this series, where there was a relentless pursuit to layer flavour. This whisky would rest in some of the finest casks, adding a delicate layer of fruit before it was moved on again. Carefully waiting, watching and tasting, looking to chart new directions with each new cask used until finally arriving at a point of perfection.