Review #200: Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1

Islay - 23 - NCF - NCA - $400 - 49.2%

Black Art is basically the opposite of Bruichladdich's Octomore.  It was very old and unpeated.  They making is a "secret" so the only thing they tell us is that Jim McEwan uses American and French oak.  

The person who shipped this was kind enough to send his own notes on the best way to drink.  It needs water and time, 30-40 minutes and a teaspoon of water bringing it down to about 45%.  In the interest of science I have split it into two pours, one ounce with the recommended ratio of water, one neat.  

Color - Tawny 

Nose - Fruit - Cooked grapes, stewed peaches, strawberry compote, figs, fresh vanilla beans, custard, key lime pie filling - with water the fruits are more blended and cooked, rich creamy lemon and lime, honey

Palate - Chocolate, stewed grapes, honey, lime - With water the chocolate is turned down and stewed grapes, grilled pineapple, key limes, brown sugar, malt, 

Finish - Long - Chocolate, sandlewood, grilled pineapple, stone fruit, brulee sugar, lime - With water, brown sugar, stewed grapes, apricots, sweetened limes, honey, tropical starbursts

Overall - 7 - This was a lovely dram that pretty much delivers everything you can ask for.  It is complex, it is balanced and it is delicious.  It is big fruit all the way, white fruit, citrus and tropical fruit.  There is a sweetness that follows this dram through that is nice and rich.  However, the price on this is quite steep and made me go back and forth on if I think it is worth the price.  Ultimately, it competes with the others that I have had at the price point.  

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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
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

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