Bruichladdich

Introduction:

The Bruichladdich distillery offers a range of brands, from unpeated to heavily peated whiskies like Octomore. Their distillery bottlings showcase diversity, including standard releases like The Classic Laddie, various Wine and Sherry finishes, and experimental expressions like the X4. Age statements are no longer present on Bruichladdich bottles, but maturation in different casks creates a multitude of flavors and aromas. Fruity and spicy notes abound in the different vintages, and most Bruichladdich whiskies are uncolored and un-chill-filtered.

The Gin:

Since 2010, Bruichladdich has produced The Botanist Dry Gin. This handcrafted gin features 22 locally sourced herbs, such as apple mint, gorse, hawthorn blossoms, heather, and lovage. These botanicals are meticulously selected and hand-picked by Bruichladdich’s full-time forager, James Donaldson, over a seven-month period each year. Distilled in a modified Lomond Still, the gin undergoes a slow “simmer distillation” process. The resulting pure and light vapors are infused with Islay botanicals in an aroma basket, while a reflux pipe ensures the retention of heavier spirits. The Botanist Gin showcases the unique flora of Islay.

Production:

Bruichladdich distillery produces approximately 1.5 million liters of pure alcohol per year. The water used in whisky production comes from Bruichladdich loch and the Octomore spring. Recently, the distillery expanded its still capacity to five, including a Lomond still for creating a smoother new make spirit.

Pot Stills:

Bruichladdich operates five pot stills, consisting of two wash stills with a volume of approximately 12,000 liters each, and two spirit stills with a volume of around 11,000 liters each. The pot stills have a distinct pear-shaped and tall design. The addition of a Lomond still allows for adjustable reflux through different setups of the neck and lyne arm.

Malting:

While Bruichladdich emphasizes the use of local barley, they don’t malt their own. Instead, they source malted barley from large malting companies. Various editions of Bruichladdich Scotch highlight specific farms from which the barley was sourced.

Warehouse:

Bruichladdich’s warehouses have a low and flat structure, constructed with brick. The cold and humid climate of Islay contributes to slow maturation. The warehouses contain a diverse array of casks, including a selection of different Wine casks used for special series bottlings. In addition to onsite storage, Scotch is also stored at the Octomore farm.

History:

The Bruichladdich distillery was established in 1881 by the Harvey brothers: Robert, William, and John Gourlay Harvey. Located on the Isle of Islay near Loch Indaal, the distillery was family-owned until William’s death in 1936. It underwent multiple changes in ownership and periods of closure until Murray McDavid acquired the distillery in 2000. The Victorian-style distillery was refurbished, and production resumed. In 2012, Rémy Cointreau purchased the distillery, which remains under their ownership today.

The Visitor Centre:

Visitors to Bruichladdich can enjoy distillery tours and tastings in the warehouses. The distillery shop offers the full range of Bruichladdich whiskies for purchase.

Visitor information:

The Bruichladdich Distillery
Isle of Islay
Argyll PA49 7UN
Tel: +44 (0)1496-850 190