Bruichladdich is releasing 18,000 bottles in the second batch of the Laddie Ten, which was first released in 2011 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Islay distillery’s reopening and was discontinued for supply reasons in 2014. While the original version was bottled at 46% ABV, this version is bottled at 50% and comes from a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, second-fill ex-Sherry casks, and second-fill Syrah wine casks. The nose is malty with notes of banana chips, dried peaches, apricots, heather, honeysuckle, orange peel, vanilla, and red grapes. The taste is tart and fruity balanced by a good maltiness and citrus notes of lemon, mango, and banana with coconut, dried flowers, vanilla, and hints of peaches and apricots as the citrus notes fade. A few drops of water will bring out lemon pepper spices on the palate as well. The finish is long and fruity with tree fruits and dried flowers. Very nice! (November, 2016)