In the Spirit

Bruichladdich Scotch

By Al Davis

A spirit-loving friend shared a recent acquisition, which I admit to first refusing. Call me names, but I am not a fan of the Bruichladdich family of Scotches. However, after some minor arm-twisting, I consented to a taste, and was thoroughly blown away. The treat was a 16-year-old potable with a long name: Bruichladdich Micro Provenance 16YR Amarone Cask #3347. This is not your everyday bottle, coming in at approximately $225.

The first flavor to register was cherries, not something I was used to tasting in a Scotch. Even smelling it, there was a hint of wine. Not being a wine person, I didn’t know that Amarone is a fine Italian wine. The Scotch, after being aged in there for 16 years, picks up the cherry wine and the tannins. The flavor also comes with hints of both lemon and vanilla, which hit the senses on top of a nose filled with cinnamon and clove.

This drink comes in at 115-proof, making me understand why my host served it with five drops of water. I tried a second shot, straight up, and while the nose was there, the taste got a little muddled in the alcohol. This was a perfect drink to go with the steaks he grilled on the “barbie,” coated with a bourbon-glaze sauce.

If bringing it for a L’chaim at the temple, remember that the wine cask will cause some rabbis to declare it off limits in their shul.

If you have a favorite potable to recommend to your FJMC brothers, please send your “In the Spirit” write-up to Al Davis: .

Al Davis is a HaD’Var contributor.