Bruichladdich Re/Define 30 Scotch Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

This is one of a pair of expressions released by Islay distillery Bruichladdich in early 2024 as part of a “Luxury Redefined” series. The whiskies represented two sides of a pivot point in Bruichladdich history. The distillery was mothballed for several years, covering the mid- to late 1990s, with production restarting in 2000. The post-2000 whisky production was focused on a grain-forward style, emphasizing estate-grown barley identity and a relative youthful maturation profile. For many years, Bruichladdich releases followed two patterns representing this divide in style: 20th Century malts, often quite aged and usually appearing in the Black Arts series; and unpeated, youngish, grain-rooted malts made in the 21st Century.

But now some of the initial production runs of post-Y2K Bruichladdich are mature enough to count as middle aged malts, which is where Luxury Re/Defined came in. The 18 year old expression was certainly not youthful, but made in the 21st Century. The 30 year old expression covered here is very much “old” Bruichladdich.

Bottled at 43% ABV, Bruichladdich Re/Define 30 is drawn entirely from ex-bourbon barrel-aged stock.

The Scotch
My pouring had a faded, dulled copper look to it, so on that note it’s already showing some age, being a little darker than the standard gilded Scotch look. The whisky is strongly aromatic, with the aroma rising to greet you from the table. The nose has a rich, sweet character, which is like a citrus blossom honey at its core, plus lesser notes of coconut, almond and vanilla.

Sipping takes the malt on about a 45 degree turn, as the whisky brings up new elements and comes into better balance (although the scent is just lovely with its emphasis on that wonderful place of citrus blossom honey).  That honey is still there, but now sharing the spotlight with drying leaf tobacco and a mix of cloves, black pepper and slivers of wood. The finish brings the coconut and almond back to share some time with the tobacco leaf note, this fading down to leave a hint of oakiness.

The Price
Bruichladdich asks £1,500.00 (or $2,000) for this bottle, so it’s not nearly as approachable as the Re/Define 18.