In the heart of Islay lies Bruichladdich. One of eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, Bruichladdich uses time-honoured techniques and Victorian machinery to produce their unpeated single malt whisky.
The Hebridean distillers believe the whisky should have an authenticity of the land, barley and water that gave it life. It’s these high-quality ingredients that provide Bruichladdich with its complex and floral flavours.
How to Pronounce Bruichladdich
First, it’s important we say the name correctly. Bruichladdich isn’t the easiest for us Aussies to pronounce. Basically, if you pretend the first ‘i’ and the ‘ch’ at the end don’t exist, you’re well on your way to correct pronunciation - brookh-LAD-dee. If you want to sound like an expert, have a listen.
The History of Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich was built in 1881, and the distillery couldn’t be prouder of its long history
The famous British brewing and distilling historian, Alfred Barnard, visited the distillery in 1885 as part of his exploratory visit to all of the UK’s distilleries. Barnard described Bruichladdich as the only Islay distillery not to dry its malt using peat in his book, The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Bruichladdich was built at a time when puffer-supplied coal was an alternative to using local peat.
Bruichladdich has seen it all from family feuds, world wars, fire, recessions, industry cartels but in 1994 it was finally closed after Jim Bean Brands bought the distillery. All staff were made redundant except for two night guards. The distillery re-opened in 2000 after a group of private investors purchased it. The distillery was dismantled and reassembled before production began under the watch of a master distiller, Jim McEwan, who had worked at Bowmore Distillery since the age of 15.
In 2012 Bruichladdich was resold to the French family-owned group, Remy Cointreau for 58 million pounds. Today Bruichladdich is the biggest private Islay employer with 80 staff and a multitude of contractors and farmers. Production of The Botanist gin began at the distillery in 2011. Computerisation at Bruichladdich is limited to the distillery’s webcams and accounting systems.
Much of the original Victorian machinery is still in use to allow the craftsmen to continue the legacy of trickle-down distilling.
Taste of Bruichladdich
The distillery doesn’t believe its Islay location has anything to do with taste. They think the Scottish whisky regions make no sense and that there is a far more complicated science involved than the source of the ingredients and location of the distillery.
While its traditional methods have continued, Bruichladdich doesn’t shy away from trying new things. Since the 1980s the craftsmen have matured their prized scotch whisky in everything from first fill American oak bourbon barrel casks to French red wine casks.
Bruichladdich Laddie Classic
Known as the classic because it embodies the Bruichladdich smooth and complex expressions. Its silky smooth texture provides a satisfying finish with gentle warmth on the palate.
You can buy a Bruichladdich Laddie Classic in our online bottle shop.
Bruichladdich Laddie Sixteen
Distilled and matured in American aged oak casks, making it sweet and waxy with hints of vanilla and biscuits and a firm nutty flavour on the palate.
Take a look at Bruichladdich Laddie Sixteen in our online store.
Bruichladdich Black Art
A rich single malt that is full of flavour and depth with layers of oak and sherry and a hint of fig jam. The 22-year old balances bitter and sweet perfectly with just the right amount of heat and a satisfying mouth-feel. The dark fruit gives it a sherry impression and an undeniable cake tinge on the nose. With a lingering fruit finish, this can be enjoyed by a range of scotch whisky connoisseurs.
Treat yourself to a bottle of Bruichladdich Black Art in our online store.
If you are looking for a Bruichladdich as a gift or for yourself, don’t hesitate to ask in-store, call us on (08) 9440 4989 or contact us online.
