Jim McEwan Signature Collection 4.1, Bruichladdich 2009 11 years old First Fill Bordeaux barrique 2009

Jim McEwan Signature Collection 4.1, Bruichladdich 2009 11 years old First Fill Bordeaux barrique 2009

Distilled on 9th November 2009 this whisky spent its whole 11-year life maturing in cask #4180. This maturation took place in a 1st fill Bordeaux red wine barrique from a remarkable Château in the Pomerol Appellation. A small vineyard by any standards its vintages pack a serious punch and are sought the world over.

A classic Bordeaux paired with a classic of Islay!

Bottled in October 2021 as Release 4.1 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 61.3% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 264 bottles.

Tasting notes from Jim McEwan

Aromas - The bouquet offers a beautiful combination of all that makes single malts so magical. Here you have a new heated Islay in the company of a world class French wine cask for 12 years and the result is complex, layered and seductive.

Opens on a Marine overture of coastal wildflowers and heather in bloom leading you to the subtle sweetness of Islay barley. Then you start to experience the magical aromas of the French oak giving an almond like nuttiness in harmony with the subtle aromas of plump ripe grapes.

Palate - The flavours of oak and barley are superb and offer the structure and balance one expects from a well distilled spirit. Together they provide a solid platform on which the soft subtle flavours of the wine can be enjoyed and all the while the marine overture that is with us throughout our lives can be detected giving a freshness which can only come from Islay matured whisky. The multi-layer flavours and finish are elegant and full of finesse and character.

The Auld alliance still remains!