Bruichladdich was built by Barnett Harvey in 1881. Five years later, the Bruichladdich Distillery Company was founded and renovation and refurbishment commenced. The “Laddie”, as it is affectionately known, is often considered to be the fruitiest, most inventive Islay malt and, indeed, there has been some contention as to whether it has truly attained Islay-status. Bruichladdich countered this with the introduction of the Port Charlotte range and later with the 2008-released Octomore, the world’s most heavily peated whisky with a phenol content of 131ppm. Then the distillery went almost the complete opposite direction and created The Botanist Gin!

The gentle character of the spirit is attributed by some to the milder weather conditions at Bruichladdich’s locality, sheltered, as it is, from Mother Nature by the Rhinns, the rugged Islay mountain range. Following the death of the then owner, Barnett’s son William Harvey IV in 1936, the distillery was run by Kenneth Harvey and sold a year later to Joseph Hobbs for the sum of 23,000. Silent for the latter part of the Second World War, Bruichladdich closed its in-house maltings in 1961, bringing malt in from the Islay maltings at Port Ellen. Enjoying good fortunes, further stills were added in 1975 to grapple increasing demand.

Blenders Whyte and Mackay acquired the distillery under Invergordon Distillers in 1993. Just two years later, production ceased and in 2000 the distillery was purchased by Murray McDavid for 6.5m. The former Bowmore manager, Jim McEwan was brought in as Production Director, and in July of 2001 distillation began once more. Today the range is vast; many cask finishes, or ‘ACE’d (additional cask enhancement) whiskies, have been released as well as the formerly mentioned peated offerings and, following a few successful years, the “Laddie’s” future looks promising.

The Classic Laddie

The Classic Laddie was created by Jim McEwan from whisky matured in American oak casks alongside Lochindaal, and chosen to represent the classic, unpeated distillery style. Bruichladdich’s new signature bottling is made with 100% Scottish barley.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Elegantly sweet with honey’d barley, boiled sweets and orange petals. Wafts of sea air.

Palate: Red apples and white grapes, with touches of sweet cinnamon and brown sugar. Still softly coastal.

Finish: Mineral-rich malt, with toffee and more honey.