The malt itself comes up with a brute force that I have seldom seen with Bruichladdich. The 63.1% ABV are so 'hard' that the alcohol simply beats the enjoyment down both in the nose and on the palate. At first glance and the test swallow, probably the roughest, most unbalanced CV that I have tasted so far. And I tasted them all but four. Adam has certainly not escaped the violence of the malt. But a hand fill as a single barrel always has its own character. So why not a wild one too?
Pure enjoyment is only limited. The almost proverbial 'few drops of water' don't do it here. It takes four or five teaspoons to tame Graeme Kirk Valinch at Glencairn. Notable difference. The pungent alcohol has given way to a pleasant sweetness, even if the type of sherry used is not easy to assign based on the scent. The sweetness most closely suggests PX grapes. Grapes are a good keyword. On the nose I hear more heavy red wine than sherry. Add liquorice, fresh tobacco leaves and grated couverture. No pastry notes as they so often characterize Laddie. It's a shame, but, as is so often the case, the sherry influence is simply too strong to leave much of the stage to the distillery character. Incidentally, it should only be mentioned in passing - when dried in the glass, the malt developed the scent of red grape juice, very fine.
When diluted, the previously powerfully burning malt now has a harmonious taste. Not an elegant palate flatterer, but still a strong representative of its kind, but now with a beautiful enamel. The somewhat unusual sherry leads, supplemented by a hint of vanilla sugar. You can find notes from the nose here too. The combination of fresh tobacco and liquorice meets a kind of wild berry punch with mineral undertones. Unusual profile. In addition, the oak sends its regards, various spices such as green pepper and marjoram. The peppery herbalism really only comes to light on the palate. Interesting structure that the sherry malt has.
The aftertaste is long and powerful for a non-smoker. In conclusion, it can be said that the CV50 requires water. Point. For me, on the hundredth scale, there is a good 5 points between the malt in its initial state (82P) and the reduced variant (87 P), which I rate here. It's amazing how much pleasure a little water can bring. Quite interesting and very special for an age of thirteen, but ultimately none of the really outstanding Valinche crew.
More Notes & Reviews on Facebook at: #Maltkanzlei
