Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2013 Islay Single Malt Whisky, 50%

Cask: Ex-Bourbon & American Oak

Bere Barley is a six-row heritage variety that has long since been forgotten from the modern world of standardised whisky making.  The antecedents of Bere reach back to the dawn of Scottish agriculture, around 4,500 years ago.  The grain would have been a staple part of the Scottish diet for thousands of years and was used by Scottish generations to make beer, bannocks and bread.  This Bruichladdich Bere Barley was distilled in 2012 from a 2011 harvest.  

The nose is dominated by cereal, porridge oats, malty notes but quickly followed by intense fruit, ripe pear and peaches in syrup, lemon meringue pie.  The oak brings honey, vanilla, coconut and hints of cinder toffee and fudge.  On the finish there is an air of gentle grace as the softness of the fruit continues, pear and apple come through with the peach notes.