Bruichladdich
The distillery is located on the Rinns of Islay peninsula and was established in 1881. It had a difficult life, closing in 1994 and re-opening in 2001. It originally had its own maltings but these were removed and it now obtains its peated barley from Bairns of Inverness, though it uses Islay barley for its unpeated Islay editions. Bruichladdich produces three distinct ranges: unpeated as Bruichladdich, 35ppm peated as Port Charlotte and 200-350ppm as Octomore. Production is 1,500,000 litres per year. The distillery is owned by Remy Cointreau. Distillery output prior to 1994 was used for blending into White Horse. Distillery output today is 65% unpeated (Bruichladdich), 25% peated (Port Charlotte) and 10% heavily peated (Octomore).
The original Port Charlotte distillery closed in 1929 and only its name continues today. Some of the old distillery buildings remain and some are used for maturing "Port Charlotte" brand.
Warehouse tasting was with three Americans and one French person with three non-purchasable whiskies.
Distilled on 15/11/1989, a single cask (cask number 44) unpeated Bruichladdich whisky matured all its life in Bourbon casks though recasked into fresh Bourbon on 03/07/2012 and now 47%.
Distilled on 27/10/2004, a single cask (cask number 30) Port Charlotte whisky matured in Bourbon and then in a first fill Mouton Rothschild wine cask from 31/07/2012. Cask strength at 57.5%.
Distilled on 21/12/2005, a single cask (cask number 2570) Octomore whisky at 159ppm matured in a Bourbon cask and then a Spanish sherry cask. Cask strength at 60.04%.
Three generous 25ml drams were enough to make the fingers tingle!
Excellent tour and warehouse experience. No cafe. Good shop, lounge.
Tour guide Kathryn (standard tour) and Frazer (warehouse tour). Four stills, plus one for gin.
PURCHASES
