Distillery

Bruichladdich whiskies

Bruichladdich is a distillery on the Rhinns peninsula, on Islay, facing Loch Indaal. After years of closure, its reopening at the beginning of this century turned it into one of Scotland’s most innovative houses. It belongs to Rémy Cointreau. It produces three very different styles: Bruichladdich, unpeated; Port Charlotte, heavily peated; and Octomore, one of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world. It champions Scottish barley and the idea that the grain’s origin matters.

Founded
1881
Owner
Rémy Cointreau
Origin
Islay, Scotland
In the catalogue
4 whiskies

History, style and where to startSee it on the world mapBruichladdich official website

  • Bruichladdich distillery, photo 1 of 3
    Photo: Andrew Abbott · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons (cropped and converted)
  • Bruichladdich distillery, photo 2 of 3
    Photo: Andrew Abbott · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons (cropped and converted)
  • Bruichladdich distillery, photo 3 of 3
    Photo: Michael McKechnie · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons (cropped and converted)

4 whiskies

Guide to Bruichladdich

History

It was built by the Harvey brothers in 1881 with a design that was modern for the time, and much of its Victorian machinery still works. In the 20th century it passed through several owners and closed in 1994. In 2001 a group of private investors bought it and reopened it with a veteran master distiller from the island in charge. The new era was marked by transparency about the origin of its barley and casks, by experimental editions and by the creation of a gin with Islay botanicals. In 2012 it was bought by Rémy Cointreau, which has kept its philosophy.

House style

Bruichladdich distils slowly, in tall stills that give a fine, floral spirit. Unpeated, its malts are fresh and fruity, with barley, citrus, flowers and a briny touch. Port Charlotte uses the same spirit with heavily peated barley and offers intense but clean smoke, with fruit and salt. The house bottles without chill filtration, without added colouring and at a good strength.

Average flavour profile of its 4 whiskies in the catalogue

Sweet
2.5
Fresh fruit
2.5
Ripe and dried fruit
0.5
Floral and herbal
1.5
Cereal and malt
2.5
Vanilla and creamy
1.8
Oak
1.5
Spicy
1.8
Toasted
1.3
Smoky
2.3
Maritime
1.9
Body and intensity
3.3

Where to start

If you want to get to know Islay without smoke, start with The Classic Laddie, a fresh, briny malt that breaks with the idea that all Islays are smoky. If peat appeals to you, Port Charlotte 10 Year Old is one of the island’s most balanced smoky whiskies, powerful but not harsh. Trying them side by side is the best way to understand how much the same spirit changes with peat.

This text was generated and translated by AI and may contain errors. Founding year, owner and official website come partly from Wikidata.

Explore more

The colours of this page are inspired by the look of Bruichladdich. WhiskyMatch is independent and has no connection with the brand.