Bruichladdich Waves 2nd Edition Single Islay Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

There's something honest about a whisky named after the thing that shaped it. Out on the Rhinns of Islay, where the Atlantic constantly pounds the coast, the casks behind Waves have breathed sea air year after year. You can taste it.

Expert description

Bruichladdich Waves 2nd Edition is a lightly peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in bourbon and Madeira casks and bottled at 46%.

Waves is part of Bruichladdich's multi-vintage series, originally composed by Jim McEwan during his time as master distiller. Bourbon casks lay the foundation with vanilla, malt and light grain, while a Madeira finish brings in sweetness with raisins, dark fruit and a touch of wine spice.

This 2nd Edition dropped the original age statement and arrived in new packaging, but the philosophy stayed the same: show Islay's softer, cleaner side. The peat sits as a quiet undertone rather than a statement, and the result is a dram that grows more maritime the longer it sits in the glass.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and salty with a soft peat smoke. Soaked raisins and vanilla, a green, grassy note and a sweet fruit edge from the Madeira.

Palate

Malty and round with a good handful of spice. Another wave of vanilla, sweet liquorice in the background and a light minty freshness, polished by oak.

Finish

Medium length, with salted malt, mild peat and a lightly bitter oak note that lingers alongside sea spray.

Specifications

Name: Waves 2nd Edition
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon and Madeira casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Bottled: 2009
Edition: 2nd Edition
EAN no.: 0618105556706

Flavour profile

Lightly peated · Maritime · Fruity · Soft

Did you know?

Bruichladdich itself calls its multi-vintage bottlings "innovative cuvées", a term borrowed from the wine world. It fits, since Waves isn't tied to one vintage or one cask, but assembled across several so Jim McEwan could chase exactly the balance he was after.

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Questions and answers about Bruichladdich Waves 2nd Edition

How does Bruichladdich Waves 2nd Edition taste?

The whisky is salty and lightly peated with vanilla, raisins and a minty freshness, finishing with a softly bitter oak note. It's one of Bruichladdich's more maritime expressions.

Is Bruichladdich Waves 2nd Edition worth it?

Yes. It's a discontinued Jim McEwan composition with a rare combination of bourbon and Madeira casks, making it attractive to both enthusiasts and collectors.

How peated is Bruichladdich Waves 2nd Edition?

It's only lightly peated. The smoke sits as a quiet undertone rather than upfront, unlike the distillery's heavily peated Port Charlotte and Octomore styles.

Who created Bruichladdich Waves?

Waves was originally composed by Jim McEwan, longtime master distiller at Bruichladdich, as part of the distillery's multi-vintage series.

What glass suits Waves 2nd Edition?

A tulip-shaped glass such as a Glencairn glass gathers the maritime and fruity aromas best. Browse our whisky glasses.

Is Waves 2nd Edition a good gift?

Yes, especially for enthusiasts who enjoy a more maritime, lightly peated style and appreciate a discontinued Jim McEwan composition.

What does it mean that Waves is a multi-vintage whisky?

It means the whisky is assembled from several vintages and cask types rather than coming from a single distillation date, giving the distiller the freedom to hit a very specific flavour balance.