Bruichladdich 19 years 1992/2012 Signatory Vintage Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Bruichladdich Distillery, Isle of Islay, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation: Distilled on March 2, 1992, and matured for 19 years in hogshead casks (slightly larger than the standard American barrel, holding 250 liters). This whisky comes from two hogsheads, numbers 3623 and 3626, with a total output of 651 bottles.
Age Statement: 19 years.
Color and Clarity: The whisky is un-chill filtered and not artificially colored, presenting its natural color derived from the casks.
Bottle Design: Specific details about the bottle design were not mentioned, but it is an independent bottling by Signatory Vintage.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky is characterized by a dominant fruitiness, complemented by a touch of sweetness and citrus notes, leading to a slight dryness.
Unique Characteristics: Notably, this whisky does not exhibit the peaty or smoky flavors associated with many Islay whiskies, including the current range from Bruichladdich. Instead, it showcases a rare profile of unpeated single malt with a focus on fruitiness and subtle oak influences.
Comparison: The flavor profile is distinct from Bruichladdich's contemporary offerings, which range from non-peated to extremely peated expressions.

Distillery History: The Bruichladdich distillery underwent significant changes in ownership and production practices over the years. It was bought by Jim Beam in the late 1980s, ceased production in 1994, and was later sold to a private company in 2000, which revitalized the brand.
Cask Rarity: The casks from 1992 represent some of the last stock before the distillery's temporary closure, making this whisky particularly rare and valuable.
Personal Anecdote: Horst Luening, the master taster, shares a personal memory of visiting the distillery in 1995, the year it ceased production, and tasting a 21-year-old Bruichladdich in a bar in Loch Indal, drawing parallels to the reviewed whisky's flavor profile.

Islay Whisky Tradition: Bruichladdich is one of the few distilleries on the Isle of Islay that historically produced unpeated single malt whisky, contrasting with the region's reputation for peated expressions.
Revival and Growth: The story of Bruichladdich's closure, subsequent revival, and impressive growth under new ownership highlights the resilience and innovation within the Scotch whisky industry.

"This is one of the very very last stock from the time before the closure of the distillery."
"Today Bruichladdich produces an awful lot of different whiskies... But in former times, Bruichladdich didn't use smoke or peat for drying the barley at all."

Bruichladdich 19 years 1992/2012 is a rare, unpeated single malt Scotch whisky independently bottled by Signatory Vintage.
Matured in hogshead casks for 19 years, presenting a natural color and un-chill filtered clarity.
The flavor profile is dominated by fruitiness, with notes of citrus and a touch of sweetness, distinct from Bruichladdich's current peated range.
The whisky's rarity is underscored by its pre-closure distillation and limited bottling.
Horst Luening shares a personal connection to the distillery and a similar tasting experience from the past, adding depth to the review.
Bruichladdich's history of closure and revival is a testament to the evolving Scotch whisky landscape.

For Whisky Collectors: The rarity and unique historical context of this Bruichladdich bottling make it a must-have for collectors.
For Fans of Unpeated Scotch: Those who prefer unpeated, fruit-forward Scotch whiskies will find this Bruichladdich expression particularly enjoyable.
For Scotch Whisky Enthusiasts Interested in Distillery History: Individuals fascinated by the stories and evolution of distilleries will appreciate the rich background and transitional period this whisky represents.