This is called the “resurrection dram” because it was the first distillation after Bruichladdich was re-opened by its new owners, on 23/10/2001. It was made from medium peated barley (10 ppm instead of the usual 3-5 ppm).
Bruichladdich 2001 ‘Resurrection’ (46%, OB 2008, 24000 btl.)
Nose: heavier peat than expected. Also quite farmy (wet dogs, not unlike some Broras) and even medicinal (iodine). Slightly smokey.
Mouth: again rather peaty and coastal with a salty tang. Pretty far from the usual, fruity Bruichladdich profile. Lots of spices, mostly pepper and mint. With water, there are hints of coffee and peanuts.
Finish: rather hot, starting on cocoa and evolving to more grassy / vegetal notes. Peanuts again.
A manifestation of Bruichladdich’s geographical roots (on Islay, the peaty island), rather than its historical roots (as the fruity distillery). Around € 45.