Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011 Single Malt Scotch Review and Comparison

Episode 416. The Islay Barley series is interesting and speaks to Terroir in whisky. I have enjoyed sampling different years. Here I have a bottle of 2011 open, with samples from 2010 and 2009. Have you had any of these? What are your thoughts on any of them or on the whole series? #Bruichladdich #scotch #whiskyneighbour

[@foodquig]

Let's hear it for Islay Barla!

[@onewomanswhisky]

Hip hip, and hooray!! "m"e 🇨🇦

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

It became a tongue twister!!

[@foodquig]

@@onewomanswhisky LOL

[@andyolszewski7967]

Thanks for the shout out and for Jeremy providing the bottle! The 2009 barley is the only one in this line up I’ve tried but I find it rather enjoyable. I get a malty, red apple, honeysuckle, salty/spice kind of vibe from it. It’s a good balance of not being too simple or too complex. Thanks for the review Jon. :)

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Thanks for the sample! I agree with malty, red apple, maybe with a bit of salt!

[@MaltMuserWhisky]

So cool to see your thoughts on this one. As you saw i quite enjoyed the spritely 2011 but have not had the 2010 or 2009, but got a bottle of the 2007 in the bunker. It amazes me how different these releases are...god bless terroir! I generally enjoy these releases if the price stays right. Thanks for the shout out. Slainte!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

I should have reflected a bit more on Terroir and also why it is a good thing each of these are unique. Sure, we'll have favourites, but I believe the point of the series is to highlight differences! I enjoyed your walk through and it inspired me to finally get at talking about these. Take care!

[@distlledbrewedreviewed]

Great job breaking each of these down and comparing them.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Thank you! Cheers 🍻

[@markmlinar1511]

Just finished the 2010 and so sad as it is so good. It was sitting there for a few years and when I returned to it, it became amazing.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

I agree, really excptional

[@erikevenson4303]

ive been waiting for somebody to do this! thank you so much because the 2011 is my favorite scotch to date.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Cheers!

[@steveno7058]

Nice review! I have both and strongly prefer the 2011. These releases are spread over several years so there are some 2011 vintage bottles that are actually older than 6 years.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Cool insight, I did not know!

[@alandiaz1041]

Interesting review. I have access to the 2013 here but it’s $74 USD. I can find a 2008, 2009, & 2010 online for around $80 USD per bottle. Seems pricey to me. I love the Classic Laddie and the Port Charlotte. So Bruichladdich is a distillery I enjoy. Based on your review it seems the newer releases have lost a step,or two compared to the older ones. Not surprising (unfortunately).

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Perhaps. But it could be just what I am enjoying in Scotch right now. Others have indicated they prefer the 2011. It's tough how prices have gone up, as expressions like these can really expand our understanding of Scotch and the influences on its flavour.

[@meesterfrench583]

Cool review. I just saw Malt Muser Whisky Reviews did a 2011 vs 2012 comparison. I need to try one of these!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Yeah! Eric inspired me to finally review my bottles too. Good to hear different opinions. Cheers!

[@rayk1411]

Hi Jon! Thanks for bringing this distillery to my attention. Waiting for it to cool off a bit more where I am before I look for something peaty. I think it's a great idea to find replacements for some of the bottles that have become harder to come by whether due to price or lack of availability. Have a great week! Cheers!

[@rayk1411]

Somehow got posted on the wrong video. Was meant for the Indian single malts. I'll re-post there. lol

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

@@rayk1411 That makes more sense! Hope your late summer is going well

[@dribsanddrams]

What you’re discovering in terms of the differences per year in this expression is exactly why I combed the web and eventually sent a family member to an SAQ in a small town near him for the last Islay barley 2010 in the province. I had a sample of the 2010, and the 2011 was the one that was everywhere by that point, and I didn’t like it as much.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Cool you were able to hunt down a favorite!!

[@onewomanswhisky]

Hi Jon... A friend of mine had the 2010 release, and I remember it being quite nice. Haven't tried any of the others in this line. My favourites are the Bere Barley 2008, which is a 9-year-old, and the Classic Laddie. Prices on both of these were decent in Ontario at the time of purchase, but I now see that the Laddie has jumped $15. Huh... Love those smaller bottles! I wish there were more available that way, pay less and get to try more variety. I guess the only problem with it is that you pay a premium for the lesser amounts. This was a great comparison! It always fascinates me to see how different the whiskys from the same Distillery can actually be. Cheers, to the weekend! 🥃🥃 Marian 🇨🇦

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Comparisons like this are sure fun. Yes, highlights their differences and helps me understand what I prefer. Sometimes the gift packs of these go on sale and you can pick up the three pack for the price of a regular bottle. Which is still 600ml for the price of 700ml, but I will take that trade to give more variety. I hope you have a great weekend too!

[@rbmelk7083]

I think the pope will be in your neck of the woods this week (at least I think you’re near Edmonton?). Any special bottle to open to commemorate the papal visit? The pope joked a couple years ago when he visited Scotland that scotch was the “real holy water.”

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

He will be here starting today! I have not considered what I should open, but thanks for helping me think of it.

[@josephappleton1061]

Show some liquor store tours

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

I would like to do more distillery tours. I never thought of liquor store tours. Could be fun!