#sherry-hogshead

Bruichladdich 2008 Oloroso (Halcyon Spirits)

Halcyon Spirits has been following a slow path since 2023, with just one or two bottlings per year, released one-by-one. They set the bar high with old (expensive) Macallan and Clynelish . Subsequent releases became more affordable, mostly around the £ 200 mark.Their seventh release is this Bruichladdich 2008 . It is 18 years old and it spent the last three in a fresh Oloroso hogshead.  Bruichladdich 18 yo 2008 (57,3%, Halcyon Spirits 2026, Oloroso sherry hogshead finish, 185 btl.) Nose: a lot of tobacco leaves, with a nice hint of heavily toasted oak, old leather and whiffs of peppermint. It's very good sherry cask, probably European oak. Underneath there is some dried apricot and toffee, as well as marmalade. Cinnamon and roasted nuts with a chocolate coating. Some Atlantic freshness comes out as well. Mouth: again rather wood-driven, with this toasted layer and the bourbon-like peppermint. Orange peels, golden raisins and figs, along with some peppery heat, cinnamon and ginger.