Bruichladdich Unveils Fèis Ìle 2024 Exclusive Releases
Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 and Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2, limited releases that will be available exclusively for Fèis Ìle 2024, also known as The Islay Festival.
Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1:
Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 was distilled in 2013 from unpeated 100% Scottish barley and initially matured in bourbon casks. From 2017-2023, the spirit was recasked into a combination of Sauternes casks (12.5%), Austrian dessert wine casks (12.5%), and ex-brandy casks from Fernando de Castilla, Spain, which previously held Pedro Ximénez Sherry (75%). The spirit was then married in ex-bourbon casks and, after maturing entirely on Islay for 10 years, bottled at 50% ABV. Presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 is limited to 3,000 bottles and is priced at £100.00 for a 700 mL bottle.
Official tasting notes for Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 follow:
Nose: Crème brulee immediately opens on the nose, with sharp lemon rind cutting through the creamy vanilla custard. Malt biscuit, toasted oak, hazelnut, and praline follow, balanced with hints of ripe pear, apricot, and honey.
Palate: Marzipan and honey join a mix of dried fruit, with apricot, figs and dried mango bringing a hint of sweetness. A subtle minerality coats the palate, nodding to the single malt whisky’s all Islay maturation. This salty tang is balanced with a hint of nutmeg and peaches in syrup.
Finish: Sweet floral notes come to the fore, with a gentle bouquet of primrose and Turkish delight followed by marzipan and Scottish tablet.
Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2:
Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 was distilled in 2004 from heavily peated (40PPM) 100% Scottish barley and matured in bourbon casks (70%) and first fill Sauternes casks (30%). After maturing entirely on Islay for 20 years, the casks were married and bottled at 54% ABV. Presented non-chill filtered and coloring free, Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 is limited to 1,500 bottles and is priced at £225.00 for a 700 mL bottle.
Official tasting notes for Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 follow:
Nose: Fragrant ripe stone fruits open on the nose, with unmistakable apricot and peach. Mellow oak, almond and marzipan are wrapped in just a hint of delicate smoke, with milk chocolate, juicy mango and honeydew melon. Crème brulee and malted barley flour complement dried smoked fruit, while a gentle sea breeze follows.
Palate: Incredibly smooth and luxurious in texture, raisins in honey, ripe apple and peach skin come to the fore, with robust leathery oak underpinning the fruity notes. Crème brulee and rich poached pears mingle with Port Charlotte’s signature peat smoke, with crystalised lemon rind providing vibrancy and balance.
Finish: Port Charlotte’s smoke is predominant of the finish as peat fire embers linger, with a sweet hint of dried mango and milk chocolate.
Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 03.1 and Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 will be available for pre-order through the Bruichladdich website beginning May 13th, 2024 at 12:00 PM BST and will also be available to purchase at the distillery during Fèis Ìle.
Source: Bruichladdich Distillery.
2 Comments
Are you ordering up a couple? You know my feelings on Bruichladdich:)
I was hoping to order a bottle of each, but the Port Charlotte sold out before I could place an order, so I decided not to purchase anything. I’m disappointed that Bruichladdich didn’t offer these through a raffle as they have in years past – that was a much fairer way to release these rather than first come, first served.