The Bruichladdich is one of nine working distilleries on Islay. Founded in 1881 by the Harvey brothers it was a “state-of-the-art” distillery with uniquely tall and narrow-necked were chosen to produce a very pure and original spirit. The distillery was closed in 1994 before being re-opened in 2001 under new ownership, who retained most of the original Harvey machinery that is still in use today. No computers are used in production with all processes controlled by a pool of skilled artisans who pass on information orally and largely measure progress using dipsticks and simple flotation devices. The Bruichladdich produces Bruichladdich unpeated single malt, Port Charlotte heavily peated single malt and Octomore, the most heavily peated single malt in the world. All of the barley used is exclusively Scottish, some of which has been grown on Islay since 2004
The Bruichladdich Rare Cask Series is a series of very old Bruichladdich whiskies that are the last of their kind – the final parcels of casks from 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1988 distillations. Three generations of distillers have watched over these casks.
• “Bourbon: All In”. The 1984/32 is drawn from 12 casks for classic bourbon-aged single malt, the ultimate expression of the spirit. These spirits were re-casked into fresh bourbon for the last leg of an epic journey. The fruit, the faint salt tang, the signature elegance is there with layer upon layer of vanilla and butterscotch complexity. Limited release of 3,000 bottles.
• “Bourbon: The Hidden Glory”. The 1985/32 comes from the final 22 casks of legacy stock originally filled gentle third-fill bourbon until 2012, when they were re-casked into first fill bourbon cask and finally finishing in French oak from one of the greatest French chateaux. Limited release of 4,200 bottles.
• “Sherry: The Magnificent Seven”. Ultra-rare, the 1986/30 is derived from just seven casks of delicate, floral Bruichladdich that have been subject to intense, full-term Sherry maturation. First filled into Oloroso butts in 1986, this spirit lay untouched in the loch-side warehouse until 2012 when it was then transferred to Pedro Ximenez butts from Bodega Fernando de Castilla in Jerez, Spain. Limited release of 4,200 bottles.
• “The Untouchable”. The landmark 1988 vintage has never been re-casked. It has matured over 30 years in the same wood that it was originally filled into – refill bourbon and rare refill squat hogsheads, resulting in a delicate and measured relationship between spirit and wood, quietly cultivated over time. It was always understood that this small parcel of casks required no interference, no guiding hand; just a watchful eye and palate to see it through. It is definitive, old, Bourbon-aged Bruichladdich – some of the last of its kind. Limited release of 6,000 bottles.
