Bruichladdich 24 year old Black Art Edition 11.1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 44,2%

Most Bruichladdich bottles tell you everything: which field the barley grew in, which casks the whisky slept in. This one keeps quiet. Behind the matte black glass sits whisky from casks filled before the distillery reopened in 2001, and only one man knows what went into the blend.

Expert description

Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 24 year is an unpeated Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in casks that Bruichladdich keeps secret, bottled at 44.2% ABV.

This is the 11th edition of Black Art, released on 1 November 2023. The whisky was made from pre-2001 casks that have spent 24 years maturing on Islay. Barley and cask types are undisclosed, and the recipe is known only to Adam Hannett at Bruichladdich. That is close to provocative from a distillery that otherwise spells out every detail about barley, farms and casks. Hannett has a free hand, and the result cannot be repeated.

It is bottled without chill filtration and without added colouring, and it sits deep amber in the glass. The casks are not revealed, but the flavour speaks for itself: dried fruit, oak and spice dominate, and the sweetness is closer to fruit cake than anything pale and light. It is sold out at Bruichladdich itself, and the series is released just once a year.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dried fruit and leather open, with a touch of citrus and then a fresh sea breeze. Next comes the sweet, floral side: poached pear, rosehip syrup, black cherry and ripe mango. With time in the glass, oak, honey and warm spice appear.

Palate

Dates, raisins and leather meet oak from the first sip. Then butterscotch, praline and a hint of coconut and fresh citrus. Halfway through it turns towards sweet apple and pear, toasted oak, dark plums and marzipan, and the spice spreads with every sip.

Finish

Long and rounded. Oak and dried fruit lead, followed by Christmas cake notes: sultanas, figs, marzipan and lingering honey.

Specifications

Name: Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 24 year Islay
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 24 years
ABV: 44.2%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Bottled: 2023
Edition: Black Art 11.1
EAN no.: 5055807417778

Flavour profile

Unpeated · Dried fruit · Fruity · Spicy · Oak · Marzipan

Did you know?

Black Art was created by Jim McEwan, who retired in 2015. When Adam Hannett took over the series he was handed the recipe and, by his own account, put it aside. It had to be his own Black Art.

See our full range of Bruichladdich

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently Asked Questions about Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1

What does Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 taste like?

Dried fruit, leather and oak, with poached pear, black cherry and mango in the sweeter layer. It finishes long and rounded with Christmas cake notes of raisins, figs, marzipan and honey.

Is Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 worth the money?

Yes, if you want something that will not come back. The whisky is 24 years old, it comes from casks filled before the 2001 reopening, and only Adam Hannett knows the blend. That makes it hard to compare with other bottlings. The series is released once a year, and the bottle is sold out at Bruichladdich itself.

Which casks is Black Art 11.1 matured in?

Bruichladdich does not say. All that has been revealed is that the casks date from before 2001 and that the whisky spent all 24 years on Islay. Barley and cask types are part of the secret, but the flavour points towards dried fruit and oak.

Is Black Art 11.1 peated, even though it comes from Islay?

No, it is unpeated. Islay is known for peat and smoke, but Bruichladdich also makes unpeated whisky, and Black Art is one of them. If you want the smoke, browse our range of Islay Whisky.

How is Black Art 11.1 best enjoyed?

Neat and without ice, at room temperature. At 44.2% ABV it drinks easily without water, but give it a little time in the glass so the sea breeze and the sweetness can open up. A tulip-shaped glass helps, and you will find them among our whisky glasses.

Is Black Art 11.1 the same as Black Art 11?

Yes, it is the same bottle. Bruichladdich writes both Black Art 11 and Black Art 11.1 about the 24 year old release from 2023.

Is Black Art 11.1 a good gift, or a bottle to keep?

Both. It is sold out at the distillery and comes from a limited series, so it suits someone who collects Bruichladdich or Islay. Store it upright, in the dark and away from big temperature swings.