The whisky I will be reviewing today is quite enigmatic and belong to the absolute extreme in terms of cask maturation and finishing. Bruichladdich makes a great deal of effort to keep the choice of barrels behind the whisky secret. The pitch black bottle with a yellow symbol of alchemy doesn't make things less mysterious.
All we know is that it's a mixture of French and American oak barrels, and after having tasted the 4.1, which is the fourth edition in the Black Art series, I would say that a variety of ex wine casks have been used. The story goes that the legendary Master Distiller Jim McEwan worked alone in the darkness of one of the warehouses of Bruichladdich when he concocted this obscure mixture. It's thus only Jim who knows the components of this whisky. However, we know that it was put in barrels in 1990, which means that the youngest whisky used is 23 years old. It's a quite pricey whisky - up to 300 dollars per bottle.
"Even we don’t know how Jim McEwan has conjured-up this bewitching dram – this is something he alone has crafted (in dead of night?) in the stygian darkness of Warehouse No. 12."
Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1
ABV: 49,2%
Region: Islay
Age: 23 (1990)
Color: Dark copper-red (there is no artificial coloring added btw)
Nose: Coconut is the first thing that hits me and it puts a big smile on my face. Is this really black magic? A bit vinous with hints of plum and grape. In the background slight notes of lemon zest and grapefruit juice. A whiff of sea breeze sweeps past hastily. After some time in the glass and a few drops of water I can pick up raisins, sherry and wild honey.
Palate: Powerful start with fruity notes of grapes and ripe papaya. Very rich and oily. A faint touch of honey, chili, pepper, cinnamon and hints of unpeated malt. Yes, this is a completely non smoky whisky, even though it's from Islay. This should be drunk slowly as there are quite a few flavors and layers to get acquainted with. Sweet coconut, milk chocolate and chocolate doughnuts. Yummy! A very tart and winy whisky.
Finish: Dry and peppery. Cinnamon, chili, grapefruit comes back. Plenty of oak flavor. Medium long.
Conclusion: A really complex long-drink that you can sip on and be marveled with the whole evening. Overall score: 92/100