This was HIGHLY anticipated... | Bruichladdich 18 ReDefine REVIEW

[@choboxhoos]

Another interesting review! Would love to see a review of the Talisker 30 sitting on your top shelf too! Some people might think there's not much point since most of us (me included) will never be able to afford it. But I like living vicariously through other people, and am always interested to hear about the unique tasting notes that an old whisky like that may offer. Thanks!

[@deeshmond]

Got a bottle of this last week and absolutely love it. Needs a bit of water though (1/2 to 1 teaspoon has done the trick so far)--it goes from a ~83 to a ~89 score-wise for me when I add a bit in--it gets even tastier, more complex, and MUCH more balanced. IMO, the Classic Laddie is OK...I'd gladly pay the extra cost for this 18 though!

[@lesterlau]

Lovely stuff @Gwhisky!

[@whatsthepoint170]

Fantastic bottle. Tried at a pub in Scotland and was immediately in love. Interesting enough, my friend who’s not an experienced whiskey drinker loved it too

[@danielyim4172]

What perfect timing! Had the bottle for about a year, and I literally just opened mine last night! Thought it was a phenomenal bottle, I am a fan.

[@davebarnes5814]

I'm a fellow Bruichladdich fanboy. Your review is spot-on regarding the different flavors & quirkiness of this particular dram.

[@Gwhisky]

Great minds think alike! Thank you for the kind words, Dave. Cheers! 🥃

[@geralddvorak6570]

Also a fan of everything I've tried from Bruichladdich- first dram of the 18 year I liked, but to be sure I put in a blind flight. This came out on top and would buy again!! Cheers!

[@Johnny__Silver]

This is a runner up for my Christmas bottle but just shy of €200, maybe I should go for a sure shot. Thanks for the review bottle-man!

[@xxacidmv]

Love the review, i will have to see if i can find it after the holidays

[@whiskynotes9326]

If someone trashed Craigellachie 13 I’d go full on Monthy on them; “I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries!”

[@jamesmorgan9695]

Cheers G & I'll admit I'm just sipping along & you both intrigue & repel my interest, good job. That is a balanced review for the cost associated.😉🥃

[@Koby616]

Looks amazing. I haven't seen it in my country. I would love to try it, but I don't wanna spend too much on it. Thanks for the review 😊

[@waynewilliams2563]

More distilleries should sell small bottles (50ml-100ml). That way we can sample divisive whiskies without spending a king's ransom. I've found small bottles of Ledaig, Bunnahabhain, Glengoyne, and Ardbeg in my area.

[@fresheFresse]

50ml is too small to really get to know a whisky imo. At least 100ml or better 200ml as Diageo does it is nice though.

[@Bobstonge2]

I completely agree with you. Unfortunately, these glass bottles cost a lot to produce ...

[@waynewilliams2563]

You're right about the 200ml. bottles. They're ideal. That's how I buy Ardbeg varieties. (I thought I'd put "200" in the initial comment, not 100.)​@@fresheFresse

[@jeffreyreinmuth2794]

Yes, there should be taste testing, I most definitely agree! I prefer sweet floral Scotches over the heavily peateted bottles. Call me a wimp, don't care, small members...

[@Mr_Krabs97]

Great timing. I literally just found out I have an opportunity to taste it next weekend. I'm a huge fan of the brand, but with divisive reviews and an asking price of around $170, I've had to walk past it on the shelf for several months now. I've been very curious to hear your thoughts specifically, so thanks!!

[@kevinnordby4808]

I absolutely love this one! The lactic funk is my favorite part. I pretty much immediately bought a backup. From what I’ve heard this 18 is a core range now but the Port Charlotte 18 was a limited release so finding a bottle will be tricky.

[@_fwd_racecar_]

finally a perfect scoring whisky, even if it's only the bottle and box presentation. marketing team would be proud, should give marketing a raise

[@NeilHughes-v2m]

In the UK, mostly available for £150 but at least one website selling at £130

[@pedrohcmenezes]

Bruichladdich 18 was my WOTY for sure. A bit expensive, but surely an amazing whisky!

[@dennielee]

saw port charlotte 18 at Costco Hsinchu!

[@Gwhisky]

REALLY? 😮 I need to go there!

[@bike_practicer3677]

Picked up a bottle at the distillery this past summer and saw your video in the timeline and figured good time as any to crack it open? I believe that I paid at/around 85-100 pounds and at that price, for that age and of course for what's in the bottle definitely high value. Anything above $130 I would pursue other 18yr options. Great review as always.

[@danielwinter8348]

Completely agree regarding understanding why people may not like this / be underwhelmed by it, however imo it is excellent. Sometimes on offer in the UK for as low as £120 and, when compared to other 18s, I think it's reasonable value 👍

[@garynapolitano1270]

Ladie 18 OrCraigalechie 17 ?

[@Gwhisky]

Tough one! Laddie 18 if I want to be challenged, but if you're looking for a more consistent pour with broader appeal Craigellachie 17. 🥃

[@garynapolitano1270]

@ Thanks! I really appreciate your thoughtful reply! This helps, as I have real world limitations on my Whisky Budget.

[@jasonpetch1449]

So… I’m a Bruichladdich fan, although I definitely prefer the newer style. I had a hard time with this the first few drams, then really warmed up to it as there is nothing quite like it. Somehow doesn’t taste like a 18 year old, more like a craft 12 year old whisky made with interesting barley, yeast, and unusual cask play. Often I love it, but there are still days where I’m less impressed. More of a journey for me than nearly any other bottle I’ve bought! I’m glad I bought it, but at that price I’m not buying an immediate replacement when it’s done. I’ll wait until I feel like another adventure.

[@lodgelawyer]

Pushing the Craigellachie again, are we???

[@Gwhisky]

Always. 😉

[@agrainofmalt]

Tried it in Limburg this year and really liked it. Still haven't brought myself to spend the €170+ it is here in Sweden, though... eventually, maybe.

[@petterstromfelt4640]

Nearly double that price in sweden, and we have quite good prices usually

[@InDerRuheliegtdieKraft-z3b]

180€ in Germany. A no braining pass for me. Same with the PC18 and the Laphroaig 18 by the way. Same price tag, same decision not to buy it.

[@gustavoayala8737]

I agree with you. Vey divisive. First Bruichladdich I don’t love. Cheers.

[@laurentsteck6086]

Thanks for the review. Well I didn't connect the first time I tried it. I should probably give it another try though... Of course there was some promising things going on. Wait and see! Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

It's a weirdo! Hope you warm up to it, buddy! 🥃

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Good one Geoff, I was sure you'd like it 😃 Now that I think back on it, sure it was a bit unbalanced but like you, I loved the flavours so much that I don't really care. Value wise though, not great. Cheers!

[@paulm749]

7:00 Never tried anything from Bruichladdich, but if this 18yo compares favorably (if only in an oblique sense) to Craigellachie 13, then it sounds pretty solid to me. I do like a bit of funk in my whisky.

[@Gwhisky]

I wouldn't say they're similar. I like both, but this is probably a bit harder to love, especially factoring in price. Cheers. 🥃

[@DanielNývlt-f7e]

Tried it this summer directly in the distillery shop and found it very good (86 points), but you can have 3 bottles of the same quality 2013 Bere Barley (my opinion) for the same price. Worth trying, but too expensive for where I live to buy it...

[@jasoncoates1835]

I'm sorry for liking the video and moving you off 666 likes. In light of the Black Art, that felt like a good place for a Bruichladdich review to be.

[@TheCurlyP]

The more you warn me about it, the more I want to try and see for myself

[@EuropaWill]

Had high hopes for the Classic Laddie ( $60 ish USD ) and it was a huge let down. Probably got stuck with a sub par batch since our palates usually align.

[@kirbycalgary2844]

Oh my God at that price you should’ve bought a case oh by the way, good video

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah it's a banger for $125. 🥃

[@Proefkonijntje]

For €150 I think I would be interested, but here in the Netherlands, looks like prices for a bottle are between €200 - €250 and that's definitely way more than I'm willing to pay for it. Too bad, I usually like a bit of funk in my whisky, but that's just too much. 😒

[@steveno7058]

This is good stuff. Won’t blow your mind immediately but after a few weeks/drams it really

[@bannedcommander2932]

Any alcohol will blow your mind once you've had enough of it. The special ones are those that are enjoyable without fulfilling obscure conditions.

[@steveno7058]

@@bannedcommander2932 not true at all. There is such a thing as a more subtle expression. This is one of them. It doesn’t scream like a peat monster or sherry bomb. But it has nice complexity and balance that may not be obvious at first.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

If this was 125 US I would definitely buy it. Here it’s 190 before tax in my area. With how divisive it is I’m not sure. I never really liked the classic latte that I had from 2016 and 2015.

[@jckbquck]

Geoff, Port Charlotte 18 is available here; in fact, my neighborhood chain liquor store has them..... So, want one?

[@Gwhisky]

That depends, Jack. It's something I'd insist on paying you back for. May I ask the price?

[@jckbquck]

@@Gwhisky my bad. My neighborhood chain has it in Florida! That said, I’m sure some of the small mom and pop might have it. Let me do a little research and get back to you.

[@Gwhisky]

@@jckbquck Much appreciated, thank you! 🥃

[@jckbquck]

@@Gwhisky several places are sold out. I found one place near Irvine for $280 / 700 mL. There are three opportunities for me to get this before my flight for Taiwan. Be glad to try it for you. Let me know.

[@jckbquck]

@@Gwhisky , based on my search, it seems Florida and New York have it, and it’s almost half the cost.

[@jujtan5412]

Nvr get to see the illusive PC18 anywhere....

[@bannedcommander2932]

Bruichladdich is a brand that I could never warm up to ever since I got a really bad bottle of Classic Laddie years ago, with a rotten cork and acrid taste. PC is fine but overhyped in my opinion, other than the limited edition cask exploration series. I have my doubts about the PC18 too, as no one but Ledaig has ever got overaged smoky whisky right. One can hope though...

[@penguinland666]

Typing while sipping it..yeah for 100 quid fair enough, in the UK this is 150 so at this price point - nah, not worth it - I can get 2 slightly less fancy ones at this price and be more happy with my life. Saying that it is nice, but not THAT nice, now if it lean more into the funk as opposed being a vinegary candy, my opinion might be different ;)

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for reviewing Geoff Have not tried this one due to the high price (I'm Dutch after all). So not even starting to complain on the grapes... Slàinte mhath

[@lucienvisser5405]

Great vid, hilarious marketing section 😂. Interesting profile for this whisky but at £150 (ex shipping and import tax to the Netherlands ) a rather big pass.

[@Gwhisky]

That's understandable. Cheers! 🥃

[@navoc2217]

Hi Gwhisky and Gwhisky family! Question - I've been on a search to find the oilest, thicket, creamiest dram I can find. Price point is ideally around $100 or less, but I could go up to $200 if it's an absolute banger. I'm open to everything from fruity to hyper smoked, but I do like to have some sweet notes, even in my smoky whiskys. Things like dates, dark chocolate, dried fruits, spice, cinnamon, caramel, burnt sugar, etc are all top tier, but I'm open to anything!. Any help would be appreciated! Heavy Peat or Unpeated are both welcome!

[@utoobia]

Look for cask strength Craigellachies, or other distilleries that still utilize worm tubs.

[@navoc2217]

@utoobia thank you for the tip Utoobia!

[@utoobia]

@@navoc2217 You got it. Don’t sweat the cask strength aspect if bottles are expensive or are hard to find where you are. But avoid the 40-43% stuff. Craigellachie 13 is a great one. Springbank 10 if you can find it around 100 USD. Independent bottlings of Mortlach. And though they don’t use worm tubs, Benromach has a very viscous, chewy spirit. The 10 year old cask strength is fantastic.

[@navoc2217]

@@utoobia I got lucky and found an SB 10 for 90 USD yesterday! Gonna crack it with family at Thanksgiving. Can't wait. Next up, Craigallechie!

[@utoobia]

@ Outstanding. Old-school malt

[@jujtan5412]

I hv a fren says Craigellachie 13 sucks. Pls slap him for me 😂

[@eviltrain24]

I can't believe you bought that for $125. That's like a yesteryear price where I'm from. ... ...You need a room mate Geoff?

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah man lemme just ask my gf. 👍🥃

[@Gwhisky]

... she said no. 😥

[@SimonneNZ]

Too expensive for me as are most 18-year-old whiskies. Here it is around $320-330 NZD which is approx. $180-190 USD. Cheers!

[@JonnyParker-]

All their releases are expensive cos they have loads of staff wages to pay .

[@monotremata9892]

$300 AUD on 26/11/2024 !

[@Gwhisky]

Ouch! 😬

[@johnvanderborght6800]

Costco selection sucks in New Jersey.

[@Gwhisky]

Ah damn. I guess it differs state by state. I hear about a lot of good Costco deals in the US.

[@tabray9567]

Cute

[@simongilbert2704]

nearly 150 in uk ;;; too much ,

[@jeromeg.9283]

Unfortunately, 190€ in France, so it's a no... and it's a shame :/

[@Gwhisky]

Ayoye! 😬

[@jbar6284]

US$190-200 in my market so no.

[@Gwhisky]

Understandable. 🥃

[@BDCF100]

Weird wrapping!

[@annabelplahuta]

no its not

[@forwork2601]

Macallan Quest is significantly better than this

[@_fwd_racecar_]

definitely dont need this 19yo girl i'm dating to read that blurb about what age is. F-that bruichladdich speak for yourself!