2002 Rest & Be Thankful Bruichladdich 13 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The Rest and Be Thankful Whisky Co. is the brainchild of Eamonn Jones and Aidan Smith. The pair run a business called the "Fox Fitzgerald Whisky Trading Company", owner of brands such as ‘Peats Beast’ and ‘The Corriemhor’. Both Jones & Smith have spent their working lives selling premium spirits, beers and ciders and most recently worked together at Whyte and Mackay Ltd.

Jones set up Fox Fitzgerald in 2010 and established a very close working relationship with Bruichladdich, the maverick whisky distiller on Islay. He was soon representing the brand in its largest markets and his involvement became a labour of love, working with legends such as Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier, selling fantastic whiskies packaged and presented in a way that the industry hadn’t seen before.

After Bruichladdich was sold to Remy, Fox Fitzgerald sought to maintain links with Bruichladdich's Directors and Shareholders, all of whom had amassed some incredible casks of Bruichladdich, Octomore and Port Charlotte. Fox Fitzgerald proposed bottling all of these under the 'Rest and Be Thankful' label. The curious title was adapted from a landmark on the A83: As one drives from the major Scottish towns to the whisky meccas of Islay and Campbelltown, there’s a picturesque spot marked by a stone with an inscription placed by the soldiers who built the original military road in 1753. It reads “Rest and be Thankful” - appropriate, given the road out of Glen Crow is so long and so steep! It was a tradition for travellers to rest at the top and be thankful for having reached the highest point.

Not surprisingly, a large proportion of RBT's casks still come from Bruichladdich, though more recently, they're being sourced from other notable distilleries. The tastings for the latest releases were limited to 20ml samples - just enough to paint the picture and recommend. Generally speaking, they represent a first class selection of young and old malts selling at quite reasonable prices.

Tasting note: Matured in a Bourbon cask. Bright gold. You could buy this for the nose alone - intense and sweet openings offer classic Laddie aromatics including crunchie bar, barley sugar / rock lolly, and later hints of thyme, honeycomb and cigar box. Superb. Builds with early, semi-sweet flavours of honeycomb followed by light peat input and a flurry of spices. Lip-smacking finish. Overall remarkable balance. One of the bargains of the collection. 57.1% Alc./Vol. 284 bottles released.