Bruichladdich Micro Provenance 2004 12 Year Old Cask #1694
20cl / 62.2%
€129.00
(€645.00 / Litre)
- Cask type: Bourbon
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
Tasting Notes
Wood dust, vanilla, sweet honey
Red fruit notes, citrus, oak and sweet creamy notes
Long, spicy and warming, vanilla, nuts and creamy notes
If you like this whisky, you will also like these
A single cask, cask strength, unpeated Islay malt from Bruichladdich's experimental and highly sought-after Micro Provenance series.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Bruichladdich Distillery (Official Bottling) / Scotland (Islay Single Malt) |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Single Cask, Cask Strength) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 12 Years Old / Distilled 2004 / Bottled 2017 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 62.2% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | First Fill Ex-Bourbon Cask (#1694) |
| Natural Colour | Yes |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes |
| Cask Strength | Yes |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 250 - 300 Bottles (Estimated, single cask outturns vary) |
| Intended channel | Distillery Exclusive / Specialist Retail (Limited Release) |
| Packaging | Signature Bruichladdich bottle, specific Micro Provenance Cask label. |
| Notes on discrepancies | While Cask #1694's outturn is estimated based on similar casks in the series, the exact number is Not stated by the producer on the search results. The cask type is confirmed as First Fill Bourbon. |
Historical Context
Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay was famously resurrected in 2001. Under the direction of Jim McEwan, the distillery embraced a philosophy of transparency, natural whisky (Non-Chill-Filtered, Natural Colour), and experimentation, particularly with different cask types and barley sources. The Micro Provenance series is a direct manifestation of this philosophy.
Launched as a range of single cask bottlings, the Micro Provenance series details the exact barley provenance, cask type, vintage, and age, often targe � specific global markets or retailers. Cask #1694, distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2017 at 12 years old, originates from the core unpeated spirit, or 'Laddie' style. This era of Bruichladdich is highly regarded, capturing the intensity and youthful complexity of the spirit shortly after the distillery’s re-opening. Its single cask status and high ABV make it a unique expression of the distillery’s terroir-focused style.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
This is an unpeated Islay Single Malt, distilled in 2004. It was aged for 12 years and bottled in 2017 directly from a First Fill Ex-Bourbon Cask (#1694). The high bottling strength of 62.2% ABV indicates it is Cask Strength (or near-Cask Strength), providing maximum flavour intensity. Bottled at 70cl, this expression is a single, non-repeatable run. The specifications (Distilled 2004, 12 YO, Cask #1694, 62.2% ABV) are definitive.
Documented variants
- 62.2% ABV, 70cl volume, Cask #1694, Bottled 2017. No other variants of this specific cask exist.
- Other casks exist in the Micro Provenance series (e.g., Cask #1310, #2525), each constituting a unique variant.
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authenticity is tied to the detailed label information.
- Capsule/Closure: Branded foil capsule with a cork stopper.
- Seals/Crests: The label should contain the high level of detail typical of Micro Provenance: Distillation Date (2004), Bottling Date (2017), Age (12 YO), Cask Number (#1694), and ABV (62.2%).
- Batch/Bottle Codes: The bottle should be individually numbered out of the total outturn (estimated 250-300).
- Common Pitfalls: The risk of counterfeiting is moderate due to the high value. Verifying the detailed cask information against reputable databases is necessary.
Regulatory/terminology notes
Cask Strength means it has been bottled at the strength it was drawn from the cask, or with minimal dilution. Micro Provenance is a distillery-specific term for small-batch/single cask releases detailing the wood and vintage. It is confirmed to be Non-Chill-Filtered and Natural Colour, adhering to Bruichladdich’s core principles.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
Nose: Intense and powerful. Notes of wood dust, sweet vanilla, honey, and fresh red fruit. A subtle maritime salinity is often present but without peat smoke.
Palate: Robust and complex. Initial burst of sweet red berries and citrus is followed by creamy vanilla, oak spice, and a distinctive malty sweetness. The high ABV provides a substantial, oily mouthfeel.
Finish: Long, warming, and spicy, dominated by oak, vanilla, and a lingering creamy sweetness.
With water: A few drops of water are highly recommended to unlock complex citrus and creamy notes, taming the high alcohol heat.