Bruichladdich 29 years old Black Art Edition 10.1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 45.1%

Some whiskies tell you everything about themselves. Black Art does the opposite. Edition 10.1 is the tenth release in Bruichladdich's most secretive series, where neither the barley nor the cask type is ever revealed, and the mystery is the whole point.

Expert description

Black Art Edition 10.1 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 29 years and bottled at 45.1%.

The Black Art series is the distillery's most secretive release. Neither the barley variety, the cask type, nor the exact maturation recipe is ever disclosed, and that's deliberate. The series is about alchemy rather than facts, leaving the interpretation to nose and palate instead of a spec sheet.

Edition 10.1 was bottled in 2022 after 29 years of maturation, an age that gives the whisky a deep, almost shimmering complexity. Non-chill filtered and with natural colour, it stands exactly as the cask has shaped it over nearly three decades.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dark dried fruit, old oak and a tangy sherry edge, mixed with a touch of wax and smoked tea.

Palate

Rich and layered with fig, dark chocolate and spiced ginger, slowly giving way to a dry, tannic oak note.

Finish

Long, dry and enigmatic, with a persistent spiciness and a hint of smoked wood that lingers.

Specifications

Name: Black Art Edition 10.1
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 29 years
ABV: 45.1%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 1993
Edition: Black Art Edition 10.1
EAN no.: 5055807415521

Flavour profile

Sherried · Spiced · Fruity · Oak-driven

Investment potential

Medium — Black Art is one of Bruichladdich's most sought-after releases among collectors, known for its secret recipe and long maturation. Earlier Black Art editions have historically held their value well once sold out.

Did you know?

Aside from a very small core team, no one at Bruichladdich knows the full recipe behind Black Art. Even the distillery's own staff can only guess at which casks were used.

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Questions and answers about Black Art Edition 10.1

How does Black Art Edition 10.1 taste?

The whisky is deep and layered with dark dried fruit, fig, dark chocolate and a spiced, tannic oak note. The long maturation gives a complexity rarely found elsewhere in the range.

Is Black Art Edition 10.1 worth it?

Yes. The series is one of Bruichladdich's most sought-after among collectors, precisely because the recipe is never revealed and because 29 years of maturation is unusual for the distillery.

Why doesn't Bruichladdich reveal the cask type in Black Art?

It's a deliberate part of the series' concept. Black Art is meant to be experienced without preconceived expectations about barley or cask choice, letting nose and palate stand alone.

What glass suits Black Art Edition 10.1?

A tulip-shaped glass such as a Glencairn glass gathers the deep fruit and oak aromas best. Browse our whisky glasses.

Should water be added to Black Art Edition 10.1?

A few drops of water can soften the dry oak notes and open up the fruit further, though the whisky also works well neat.

Is Black Art Edition 10.1 a good gift?

Yes, especially for the collector or seasoned enthusiast who appreciates Bruichladdich's most mysterious and sought-after series.

What defines Bruichladdich as a distillery?

Bruichladdich is known for its unpeated style and focus on terroir and Scottish-grown barley. Browse our full range of Bruichladdich.