Thompson Brothers Rhinns Whisky Sample 2011 13 Year Old 2025 Release (30ml, 54.9%)

Thompson Brothers Rhinns Whisky Sample 2011 13 Year Old 2025 Release (30ml, 54.9%)

Distilled in 2011 at the Bruichladdich distillery on the Rhinns of Islay, this heavily peated spirit was matured for 13 years in a Refill Hogshead. Released as part of the Thompson Brothers' early 2025 collection, it is bottled at a natural cask strength of 54.9%. This is a "purist’s" peated malt—no wine finishing or heavy oak masking, just the raw interaction between smoky spirit and a well-seasoned refill cask.

Tasting Notes

Nose: An immediate hit of medicinal smoke and lemon oil. It’s clean and coastal, with notes of oyster shells, damp wool, and smoked malts. Underneath the smoke is a surprising sweetness of green apples and vanilla pod.

Palate: Powerful and oily. The peat is "sooty" rather than ashy, mingling with salted caramel and charred grapefruit. There is a distinct maritime brine and a touch of white pepper spice that provides a wonderful tingle on the tongue.

Finish: Long, warming, and very "Islay." It leaves a lingering trail of bonfire embers, lemon zest, and a touch of sweet tobacco.

Why this bottle is special

This is a rare "unbranded" look at Bruichladdich’s peated excellence. It is special because it carries the Rhinns name—a nod to the specific geography of the distillery—and offers a profile that is often more balanced and coastal than the standard Port Charlotte official bottlings. At 13 years old, the peat has begun to integrate into the spirit's fruity core, resulting in a sophisticated, smoky dram that represents the "hidden" side of Bruichladdich.