Which Bruichladdich to buy?

It is far from 'signature', but it IS unique, and the Bruichladdich for me: Octomore.

@hawkscotch As sort of a Laddie lover, I'd have to breach the standard and answer your question with a question:

What other whiskies do you enjoy?

Armed with that information, I might (only might mind you) be able to make a suggestion. But, like Victor, I'm a devotee of Octomore. Victor: just wait till you try 4.2 Comus (if you haven't already)!

@two-bit-cowboy, not yet on the Comus 4.2 for me, but I am wanting some, for sure!

@two-bit-cowboyI have a broad range of tastes (as my library will attest). Victor's suggestion of the Octomore and your second on that works for me. I will keep my eye open for one in my whisky travels.

@Victor If I read the "tweets" right (not much into that stuff) sounds like they'll be bottling it tomorrow.

Got to try it in Victoria. Simply stunning. Hard to grasp that a 5 yo could be that complex.

@hawkscotch Sort of scanned your library (mine's so out of date that I don't put much stock in them). Since you include the Talisker and Glenlivet 18s among your favorites, I'd say start out with The Laddie Ten. Give yourself and it some time to get acquainted, slowly. You'll be rewarded.

@two-bit-cowboy Thanks...will do.

Thing with Bruichladdich is, they don't really have a signature whisky since they're beholden unto no blenders for their output, hence the crazy array of styles they produce - because they can. On top of the expressions already named, I'd also look out for Port Charlotte and Infinity bottlings. If you're into wood finishes, the "First Growth" 16yo series may be worth checking out also - at least I recommend them!

I'm going to suggest the new Laddie 10. I had it a few months back and thought it was phenomenal.

@systemdown Thanks...I'll make note of those options.

Last year, we had 3 bottles of 1989 (13yo.) Full Strength "Laddie", a 57.1% masterpiece but I havent seen it for a while - It was fantastic!

For me Bruicladdich is at its best when it's more more classic, c

For me Bruicladdich is at its best when it's more more classic, fresh and coastal style. It's particularly good in its mid teens and matured in unobtrusive bourbon casks. The 16yo is a good choice in this style, as are the older 15,17 and 20yo if you can find them for a good price. Of course the holy grail of Bruichladdich is the early 70s releases and justifiably so, the 1970 vintage bottle is incredible, and I suppose the least heavily priced of these that is currently available here and there would be the 77 DNA release.

I just had a tasting with Duncan McGillivray (distillery manager) last night and had three pretty nice Bruichladdichs (out of the 6 we tasted). Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004 was not bad at all, but needs quite a bit of time to open up, the Bruichladdich 18yo Calvados (single cask for Belgium) was very nice and fruity, but the 32yo 1977 DNA2 release at 47,2% was absolutely stunning. Unfortunatly, a bottle will set you back about £250 - but if you ever get the chance to taste it, don't let it pass you by!

@markjedi1 I have the Islay Barley 2004 as well, and it continues to surprise. The Octomore is magic. I had a terrible time picking which bottles to take home when we visited the distillery!

Octomore and/or Infinity. Most of the others not much to my liking. But, my god, Octomore and Infinity are amazing!

It depends on the flavor profile you like. For big peaty malt, like Victor, I suggest Octomore but it isn't cheap. Any Port Charlotte is also wonderful. Bruichladdich Peat is cheaper but still very good. For something sweeter, I suggest Rocks or 16 yo Bourbon cask.

I've just yesterday been to the Whisky Live Fair in Spa, Belgium. There I had a long chat with one of the chaps from the distillery (Duncan ..., have his card at home, but can't remember the surname :D) and tasted a range of their drams. The Laddie Ten of course, The Infinity and the Black Art. All three of them have been absolutely brilliant. I've bought a Laddie Ten (thanks Duncan, for signing it :D) and a friend of mine bought a bottle of the Infinity. The Black Art had been a great experience, but out of our financial limit we had set for the day :D

In short, I can recommend all three of them (and probably could have with all their other bottles if I would have tasted them :) )

@markjedi1 hehe :) and now I also again know Duncan's surname :D I knew I have been remembering something from Doctor Who :D (he must get that comparison a lot :D)

I think the Laddie Ten is a very good Whisky for the money, from all the other various Expressions of Bruichladdich I really like the Octomore (I call it the ironfist in velvet gloves) and Infinity 3 which is kind of a octomore light and very fruity. Further recommendations would be the black art (21 year old) which is a complex and subtle version and the 3D3 Norrie Campbell.

@maltster, Has anyone tried the 15 torrey pines edition?

@DevD Found a review by Serge (Whiskyfun) for the Links Torrey Pines: http://www.whiskyfun.com/archiveapril09-2.html#170409

The new Laddie 10 would be my recommendation too. However, I am very impressed by Port Charlotte PC8 - sure, it's rough, a bit uncontrolled and young. But I really love the aggressiveness, the burned rubber taste and the peppery mouth feel of it. Can't wait to see what this will develop into in years to come!

Look for the chieftain's bottling of 22yr laddie.... Super limited, great value. I do love the Octomore, but that's more than 2.5x more expensive and this one is a more well rounded experience.

Based on the sample that I have had with @Victor and @dbk, I would agree that the Octomore is a unique bottling that you will not forget!

My only Bruichladdich purchase has been the Port Charlotte 'An Turas Mor'...a very enjoyable peat experience with a refreshing element to it that makes it quite drinkable.

To begin with a manageable sample size, I'd concentrate on the stuff made since the distillery re-opening (thus filtering-out all the stock that the current management had to market-away in the last 10 years).

For non-peated I'd go with the Laddie 10, and for peat I'd go with one of the Port Charlotte. This will give you an idea of things to come from Bruichladdich.

Bruichladdich recently wrote a blog post on why there are so many, see here http://goo.gl/iIQlD

Now I'm a HUGE Bruichladdich after being introduced to them at the Whisky Show 2010 (it was a real shame they couldn't be there in 2011). I've tried a fair few of their expressions both expensive and rare as well as off the supermarket shelf and I've genuinely not found one I didn't like, sure some were better than others, but no real stinkers left to idle at the back of the cabinet.

For me picking one would be just too tricky, and for a large part comes down to price, I'd need a compelling reason to blow more than £60 on any bottle of regardless of it's provenance. Luckily You don't need to spend anywhere near this to get some cracking Bruichladdich. Start by understanding what they are all about before confusing matters with the more expensive bottles, for straight up Bruichladdich get the Laddie 10 (I think the bigger Tescos have them) and for peated get the Port Charlotte An Turas Mor, both should't set you back more than £35 a bottle and the are both stupendous. Then enjoy building from there :D

@olivier and all other respondents. Thanks for your input on this discussion. Living in Canada my options may be limited but I have taken note of the recommendations and will keep my eyes open for one of the expressions suggested.

@mrverrall thanks...this blog was helpful.

I have never had a bad Bruichladdich. While the Rocks bottling is "intended to be with ice", I think it is a great malt neat, but I think you should go with the Laddie Ten. It is truly the new Bruichladdich benchmark, you will be able to follow their journey as a distillery and one day say, "I remember when"