Bruichladdich Black Art 1994 Edition 8.1 Single Malt Scotch Review

Black Art is an ongoing series of limited-edition releases from Bruichladdich—that much we know. Beyond that, and the ages of the whiskies, we don’t know a whole lot. And that’s how its master distillers (Jim McEwan, who was succeeded by Adam Hannett) want it. Nothing is revealed of how these whiskies were matured or in what kind of casks they were finished. What matters, they say, is how they taste. And this eighth edition of Black Art tastes delicious. 

Tasting Notes

Color: Medium copper—many scotches contain caramel coloring to darken their hue, but Bruichladdich is not among them. The color here comes straight from the cask.

Nose: It’s rich and fruity on first whiff. Is it a wine-cask finish? But then a maritime salinity comes in which must be from sherry cask aging, right? The distillery isn’t saying.

Palate: A rich, rounded fruitiness reminiscent of port casks evolves into a dry, nutty salinity with candied-orange overtones. Vanilla and caramel indicate time in ex-bourbon casks, but there’s definitely a pronounced sherry presence here. Exactly how much, of course, is known only to Bruichladdich’s master distiller, and he’s not telling.

Finish: It’s very long, dry and somewhat oaky, but surprisingly gentle considering it’s spent more than a quarter-century in wood. 

Our Review

Black Art 1994 straddles two eras of Bruichladdich. It was distilled and laid down the year the distillery ceased production, not to resume until 2001, when Jim McEwan made it the iconoclastic and groundbreaking distillery it remains today. While Black Art plays up the mystery of its cask-aging, it doesn’t taste that mysterious. It’s certainly more restrained than the brand’s out-there offerings like Octomore and Port Charlotte. But all the same, it’s a beautifully executed whisky.

For a cask-strength expression, Edition 8.1 has a relatively low proof and is quite soft on the palate, as well. But it’s still quite flavorful, with ex-bourbon, sherry and possibly port or wine casks evident in the flavor profile. A whisky of this age and rarity (to say nothing of its price) is not meant for mixing, although it would likely make a lovely cocktail. Water and ice are also not necessary or recommended. It’s excellent as-is.

Black Art 8.1 is not what you might expect from an Islay whisky—it’s unpeated—or specifically a Bruichladdich, as it’s relatively restrained. But taken on its own terms, it delivers and then some.