90

Score

Duncan Taylor (distilled at Bruichladdich) 34 year old 1969 Vintage, 46%

Price: $234 Issue: Winter 2005 Reviewer: John Hansell

An unusual, but very fine, Bruichladdich, with sweet, chewy toffee notes I often associate with Speyside whiskies, not Islay (although I have tasted a few older Bunnahabhain whiskies that were like this). Layers of marzipan and chocolate fudge also emerge, and I even pick up some apple and black cherry fruit in the background. Bruichladdich's "sea breeze" freshness rises through the chewy sweetness and provides balance and complexity.