Bruichladdich 2008

This first fill bourbon barrel was re-gauged in September 2019 at almost 60% ABV so has held its strength extremely well and could potentially continue maturation for many years. Expressions of aged Bruichladdich in ex-bourbon barrels similar to this have enjoyed incredible success and popularity; for example, several of the Black Art releases can trace their roots back to ex-bourbon casks similar to the one we have for auction here.

Auction estimate: £18,000 - £20,000

Auction has ended. The winning bidder has been notified.

Cask Details

Distillery	Bruichladdich
Region	Islay
Age	12 years
Distillation Date	June 9, 2008
Cask Type	1st Fill Bourbon Barrel
Peated?	No
Re-gauge ABV	59.30%
Re-gauge Litre of Alcohol (RLA)	78.50 litres
New Bulk Litres	132.34 litres
Re-gauge Date	September 2019
Bottles	189
Cask Number	1634

The Wood

Bruichladdich source their ex-bourbon casks from Jack Daniels, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam or Old Grandad, so we can say with certainty that this wood came from one of these American distilleries. Quercus alba (white oak), commonly known as American oak, is the type of wood we have here maturing Bruchladdich’s spirit, and on this occasion it is a first fill cask bourbon cask which normally displays vanilla, butterscotch and tropical fruit notes.

“This type of cask matures whisky at a good, consistent pace; contributes sweetness, creaminess and spice flavours; while also leaving more room for the distillate to express its character than you get with virgin oak.”

— Jane Carswell (Bruichladdich 2020)

The Spirit

Bruichladdich is a unique example of a distillery which still uses traditional methods in the majority of their whisky production. There are no computers used in the distilling process and it uses the largest mash tun in the industry which dates back to the distillery opening in 1881.

The Masters

Jim McEwen, who began his career in whisky in 1963 as an apprentice cooper at Bowmore distillery and has over 50 years experience in the whisky industry, is likely to have overseen the filling of this cask on the overcast 9th of June 2008. During his tenure as distillery manager he was instrumental in the reopening of Bruichladdich after the distillery was mothballed in the 1990s and since has also been a pioneer of barley experimentation. Included in his long list of achievements is his creation of the most heavily peated spirit to run off a Scottish still (Octomore), which released in April 2008 and now is a consistent release from Bruichladdich.

The Verdict

This first fill bourbon barrel was re-gauged in September 2019 at almost 60% ABV so has held its strength extremely well and could potentially continue maturation for many years. Expressions of aged Bruichladdich in ex-bourbon barrels similar to this have enjoyed incredible success and popularity; for example, several of the Black Art releases can trace their roots back to ex-bourbon casks similar to the one we have for auction here.

Tasting Notes

“On nosing this whisky I am instantly hit with the aroma of honeydew melon; both the ripe, sweet flesh of the melon and the slightly more tannic, crunchy seeds. A sip reveals a really potent dram: somehow reminiscent of a dense plum wine while also taking me on a journey of spice. While savouring my mouthful I notice the flavours move into something a little savoury, notes of fennel and cumin, but then the finish is all star anise. With water the Bruichladdich evolves into something sweeter with hints of fresh strawberries and warm pastries.”

– Cat Marney,
Social Media Manager

About The Distillery

Islay is a little too small, a little too sparse and a little too exposed to have ever made a real go of barley growing beyond the self-sufficiency of the Ileachs. Bruichladdich is probably the distillery that cares more than any other about the barley they make their whisky from. Islay is their Eden – the garden from which a hardy, coastal bere will spring and cover the land from beach to clifftop in golden-brown grain. That day is not here yet, but the current Malt Whiskies from Bruichladdich ensure that as much of the barley is Islay-grown as possible, and Scottish where not. This attention to their barley shows in the complexity of their whisky, where malty flavours form a wonderful backdrop to a soft fruitiness, in peated and unpeated varieties.

Buyer’s note: Independent bottlings of Bruichladdich are not allowed to imitate official Bruichladdich releases in name or visual style. Please take this into account when you make your bid. Cask 88 has a wonderful in-house design team who can help create perfect packaging within specifications.

Buyer’s note: We cannot offer a photo of this cask due to the regulations on Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations that are imposed in the warehouse.

Questions?

Have a question about this cask? Click here to contact our support team.

Auction Details

Bidding will end on June 6th at 5:00pm BST subject to continuation defined below.
If any bid is received within the last 5 minutes of bidding across any of the current auction listings, the entire auction will be extended for an additional 5 minutes. The auction will officially close when a period of 5 minutes has passed without a new bid.
All bids represent a legally binding contract to purchase the designated item.
The highest bidder at conclusion of the auction will immediately be charged a £500 deposit by credit card; the remaining balance will be due within 72 hours of auction close by bank wire transfer.
Failure to send proof of payment within 72 hours will result in a penalty of 1% of the hammer price for each day the payment is delinquent.
Upon verification that all funds due have been received, ownership of the cask will be transferred to the buyer and the buyer will be sent a title certificate. As per Scottish regulations, the cask must remain in a government bonded warehouse until bottling.
No samples will be provided during the auction.
If two bidders place a bid in the same amount, the first bid placed will be the winner.
Storage will be included for a period of 3 years from the conclusion of the auction. All other costs related to storage, removal from storage, insurance, transportation, bottling and duties/taxes will be the sole responsibility of the buyer.
A reserve price has been set for the auction. If the reserve price is not reached then the seller, in their sole discretion, can choose whether to accept the high bid or may offer a counter offer. All bids placed by buyers are binding, even when the reserve price has not been met, until the seller declines the highest bid.
A 10% buyers premium will be added to the highest prevailing bid. No buyers premium will be due if the reserve price is not met and the seller choses not to accept the high bid.