Black Art is the ‘enigma’ release from Bruichladdich distillery. These yearly expressions contain some of the oldest spirit in the warehouse, often from a plethora of cask types. I tend to find them very intruiging, often with a glorious nose, but they can feel a bit tired on the palate.
Bruichladdich Black Art Edition 10.1 was bottled in 2022 so all casks used would have been pre-1993. We already had the recent follow-up Black Art 11.1.
Bruichladdich ‘Black Art 10.1’ 29yo (45,1%, OB 2022)
Nose: we’re in cognac territories, because of the stewed plums, hints of cherry jam and sweet grapes, leather and toasted oak. Light hints of dried flowers as well. Then hints of cigar boxes, old cupboards and honey. A little liquorice and mint leaves too, along with candied ginger and dried apricot. Pretty excellent.
Mouth: here’s the expected winey profile. Some tannic wood, mixing with ginger biscuits and bitter orange peels. Then dark chocolate and hints of toasted wood, more tobacco, a few raisins and hints of sour berries. Nice tangerines as well, followed by cinnamon, liquorice, pink grapefruit and dried herbs.
Finish: long and drying, still focused on these hints of mulled wine and fruits, along with tobacco.
A typical Black Art experience again. It’s always the old wine casks that are a blemish on the otherwise complex and rich composition. I got a sample from Delias Whiskyshop where they still have full bottles as well.