Review #154: Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2008 Third Edition

Islay - NAS- NCF - NCA - $100 at the local - 50%

Bere barley traces its origins to the Neolithic village of Skara Brae on Orkney 4,500 years ago.  It is a low yield crop, about half that of modern barley.  This was probably the grain used in the original uisge-beatha for 100s of years.  This barley was grown on Orkney on a list of farms availalble on Bruichladdich's website.  

Color - Pale Gold

Nose - Candied lemons, honey, green apples, malt, light herbs

Palate - Biscuits, honey, vanilla

Finish - Medium - This is hot, honey, malt, mashed potatoes

Overall - 5.5 -  This just comes across as very young. The heat on the finish is a bit distracting.  I would guess this is similar to how Pattison's whisky would have tasted, same barley, more traditional methods and young.  While nice to try, it just drinks like it was 65% instead of fifty.  

---------------------------------------------------------------

Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.91

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16