The Laddie Eight is a travel retail Bruichladdich, rather young but we’re not complaining as long as we are told how old exactly and it’s not wrapped in a stupid marketing story.
It’s unpeated and together with the NAS Bruichladdich Classic Laddie, it takes a bit of pressure away from the Bruichladdich Laddie Ten, which is facing low stocks. Although it’s a travel retail expression, you can also get it in regular stores now.
Bruichladdich The Laddie Eight (50%, OB 2016)
Nose: sweet and malty, with acacia honey, yellow apples, melons and some buttery touches. Tinned pineapple and lemons. A slightly farmy hint of goat stables and goat cheese too, interesting really. Vanilla pancakes and honeysuckle.
Mouth: a bit uncommon but again intriguing. Sweet peaches and papaya. Hints of sweetened grapefruit juice and lemons. White pepper and a slight oaky bitterness. Hints of yeasty dough and butter. Evolving on grassy notes.
Finish: same grassy / woody / zesty development, quite long. Hints of heather and salt.
Well, nice! Young, but unlike other malts, pleasantly unmodern and complex. I kept scratching my head but I also kept taking another sip. Mission accomplished? Around € 50.
Score: 85/100