2006 Bruichladdich Bere Barley Single Malt Whisky 750ml

I don't want to spark a run on this, but I think this is one of the best whiskies I've tasted in months. It's startlingly good, especially considering the maturity level. Everyone at Redwood City agreed when we tasted through the new lineup - this was the winner. The Bere Barley single malt is made from barley grown on Islay, from Kynagarry Farm and the Achaba and Achfad Fields specifically. It's a "bere" barley, which is the world's oldest cultivated cereal that was brought to the Hebrides by Norse invaders in the 9th century. It's ideally suited to the sandy soils of the island, but yields about 50% less than the modern crops do (hence why no one uses it!). Its bulk made mashing and milling the grain quite difficult and even damaged some of the equipment at the distillery, yet it was all worth it because this whisky is simply divine! Despite its youth (six years old) it's quite round and full of life. Lots of vanilla and oak with a purity that is almost holy or touched by a higher power. I'm not kidding. It's really, really good. If I could buy hundreds of cases, I would. Unfortunately it's very limited and there's not much available. You'll want one, trust me. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)