Description

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml          ABV: 50%          Age: No Age Statement          Country: Scotland

The Whisky

Experience a bold, travel-retail exclusive evolution with Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition. Launched in mid-2024, this 700ml expression takes the distillery’s signature unpeated Islay malt and subjects it to a “Sherry soaked” transformation. While the standard Classic Laddie is a complex vatting primarily of ex-bourbon and wine casks, this edition undergoes a definitive finishing period of 9 to 12 months in Oloroso Sherry casks sourced from the renowned Fernando de Castilla in Jerez, Spain.

Presented at a robust 50% ABV, this edition is unpeated, non-chill filtered, and natural in colour. It serves as a bridge between the vibrant, floral house style of Bruichladdich and the deep, oxidative richness of Spanish oak. In keeping with Bruichladdich’s sustainability mission, this release also features the redesigned eco-bottle: 32% lighter than the original and made from 60% recycled glass, significantly reducing its carbon footprint without losing that iconic aquamarine charm.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Lively and luscious. You are greeted by the classic house scents of green apple and honeysuckle, which are quickly enveloped by the Sherry influence: sultanas, toffee, and toasted almonds. As it opens, a refined layer of orange marmalade and sweet vanilla essence emerges, with a faint, earthy hint of chocolate malt in the background.

Palate: The arrival is surprisingly soft and viscous for 50% ABV. It delivers a primary burst of brown sugar and vanilla fudge, which evolves into a mid-palate of dried dates, raisins, and baked bananas. The Oloroso influence provides a structured warmth of nutmeg and oak spice, perfectly balancing the spirit’s natural ripe pear and melon sweetness.

Finish: Medium to long and increasingly malty. The finish lingers with dried fruits and creamy marzipan, finally tapering off with a final, savoury flourish of walnuts and a signature hint of Islay sea spray.

The Distillery

Bruichladdich (pronounced Brook-laddie), located on the shores of Loch Indaal, is a pioneer of transparency and terroir in the whisky world. A unique factual detail: Bruichladdich is a certified B Corp, meaning they meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. They treat whisky as an agricultural product, using 100% Scottish grown barley and refusing to use “industrial” shortcuts like caramel colouring or chill-filtration. This Sherry Cask Edition is a testament to their philosophy of “natural progression”—using high quality casks to enhance the natural character of their land born spirit rather than masking it.

Overall Review

The Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition is globally reviewed as a “sophisticated upgrade,” praised for adding a much-requested layer of dried fruit depth to the unpeated range. Critics have lauded its “masterful balance of floral and sherried notes,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for fans of the “Laddie” who want a richer, more autumnal dram that still tastes unmistakably like Islay.