Bruichladdich 31 Years (1991) - Ralph Steadman X Cask 88
The Ralph Steadman Collection is dedicated to the craft of whisky. The artist creates a small artwork for each bottle. Bruichladdich is all about the malting process: "A practice almost entirely lost to the annals of time, the by-hand floor malting process captured by Ralph Steadman’s illustration is being recommissioned at Bruichladdich distillery. This cask was selected for its incredible complexity and remarkable balance."
The panel
Mean 86.0 · spread 0
Value for money 0/5
- Distillery
- Bruichladdich
- Bottler
- Cask 88
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Isle of Islay
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 31 years
- Strength
- 50.6% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
Even the first impression is like a gust of salty wind over a freshly harvested field. Maritime notes mingle with oak, vanilla and honey, while gentle flavours of grain, lemon and exotic papaya unfold underneath. Here an old cask speaks with a dignified voice - soft but complex, never loud but full of depth.
Palate
The attack is creamy, almost oily, with a surprising lightness for its 50.6% vol. The flavour is reminiscent of lemon sweets and sugar syrup, followed by old oak and a hint of sweet malt, which elegantly picks up on the connection to the malt theme. Unripe mango provides a fruity counterpoint - an exciting interplay between youth and maturity, between structure and playfulness.
Finish
Long, spicy and steeped in oak. The finish is dry, with black pepper, a hint of burnt toast and a bittersweet flicker of honey and candy floss. Here the bourbon barrel resounds one last time - powerful, venerable, almost majestic.
Verdicts
Marcel
Here, pure drinking pleasure meets fascinating depth of character – a whisky that doesn’t rely on flashy effects but simply captivates with soul and craftsmanship. Those who enjoy relaxing in quiet moments while discovering exciting aromatic worlds will find themselves perfectly served.
Sascha
A remarkably well-balanced Bruichladdich that impresses with its precise harmony between creamy texture, fruity notes, and spicy oak. The complex structure of this 31-years bourbon barrel whisky demonstrates how time and wood can work together in perfect harmony without overpowering each other.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Bruichladdich as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £207 across 668 lots · 2024-08