Bruichladdich Adds High Age Statement Whisky Range with the 18 and 30yo.

10 Feb

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Bruichladdich has launched the first of the brand’s permanent high age statement whisky range: The Bruichladdich Eighteen and The Bruichladdich Thirty.

Conceived, distilled, matured, and bottled only on Islay, the expressions in the new Luxury Redefined range are the liquid embodiment of the distillery’s pioneering past and steadfast commitment to the future – always with the aim of creating the most thought-provoking spirits.

Challenging traditional perceptions of modern luxury, the prestige bottlings feature an industry first bespoke, sustainable outer wrap. Designed in collaboration with global creative partner, Thirst, and brought to life by James Cropper, a UK based luxury packaging specialist, the eco-friendly outer packaging is made from fully recyclable paper pulp and perfectly moulded to the shape of the proprietary glass bottle. The light-weight outer packaging is completely plastic free and produced using 100% green energy, demonstrating that premium single malt Scotch whisky can be both sustainable and aesthetically beautiful.

The Bruichladdich Eighteen: The first permanent 18 Year Old single malt in the Bruichladdich portfolio, The Bruichladdich Eighteen is a true coming of age bottling. When the distillery was reopened in 2001, the Bruichladdich team set course to reconnect land and dram, championing its raw ingredients, introducing the concept of terroir to the whisky world, and supporting the local community.

In pursuit of flavour and to support the agricultural community on Islay, Bruichladdich began working with one farmer in 2004 to raise a crop of locally grown barley. This pioneering trial has now expanded to 20 vital farming partners today who grow over 50% of the distillery’s barley for total production.

“This is an ultra-high provenance single malt whisky,” says Head Distiller, Adam Hannett. “Every single element of The Bruichladdich Eighteen - from the specific harvest and barely varietals used to the exact casks it has matured in - is fully traceable. Which, for a whisky of this age, is quite incredible.

“18 years ago, we distilled spirit from locally grown barley and our passion to diversify and champion our cereal growing programme has never wavered. It’s about making delicious whisky with real provenance which also benefits the Islay community – and The Bruichladdich Eighteen is the embodiment of this ethos.”

Bottled at 50% ABV and distilled from this first crop of Islay grown barley, along with organically grown grain and varietals from the Scottish Mainland, The Bruichladdich Eighteen is fully traceable, from farm to glass.

Matured exclusively on Islay primarily in ex-Bourbon casks and a small number of wine casks, The Bruichladdich Eighteen is the epitome of the brand’s signature, unpeated house style. Full bodied and beautifully fragrant, notes of honey, butterscotch, and citrus orange open on the nose, with a medley of tropical fruits and toasted mellow oak lingering on the palate.

The Bruichladdich Thirty is the story of the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection. The Bruichladdich story almost ended in the late 20th century when the doors to the distillery were forced to close, with the site mothballed and workers laid off in 1994. Over the next seven years, the two remaining members of staff safeguarded the casks which continued to mature in the depths of the warehouses, before the distillery was restored in 2001.

“The Bruichladdich Thirty has been distilled using these legacy – almost lost – casks, capturing a pivotal moment in time for the distillery,” explains Adam Hannett. “This 30 year old single malt not only celebrates the resurrection of our Victorian distillery but pays homage to the men who laid down this spirit three decades ago.

“The future of Bruichladdich was uncertain in the early 1990s. From the brink of permanent closure to now the largest private employer on Islay, Bruichladdich Distillery and the local community has slowly rebuilt and flourished over the past three decades – all while this spirit has quietly matured.”

The Bruichladdich Thirty has spent the entirety of its maturation life in handpicked, exceptionally rare ex-Bourbon casks. A limited and refined single malt Scotch whisky, The Bruichladdich Thirty is bottled at 43.2% bringing the sweetness of toasted oak, honey and soft vanilla to the fore. Delicate yet complex, a hint of dark chocolate complements the spirit’s elegant floral profile while the gentle influence of sea air lingers – a subtle nod to the whisky’s all Islay maturation.

Aligning with the B Corp distillery’s commitment to reduce its packaging and waste, the latest launches are housed in the brand’s new decanter-style proprietary bottle, created in collaboration with design agency, Thirst. The new bottle contains an average of 60% recycled glass content, is lighter in weight and features an elegant glass closure.

Gareth Brown, Global Marketing Director at Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “These high age statement bottlings are a marker in time for Bruichladdich. Beyond incredible liquid alone, they signify how far we have come since our distillery was reopened in 2001. Our founders set out to create the most thought provoking spirits with provenance and authenticity at their heart - and The Bruichladdich Eighteen and The Bruichladdich Thirty are this vision realised.

“When it came to launching these prestige whiskies, we set out to prove that sustainable packaging can be simultaneously stripped back and beautiful, and I believe we have achieved this with our Luxury Redefined range. Rather than adding elaborate packaging or unnecessary weight we have chosen to subtract, letting form follow function to rethink what modern luxury can, and should, be.

“Everything - from the weight and functional design of the glass bottle to the recyclable materials, custom colour, and texture of the outer wrap - has been carefully considered to ensure that our new single malt expressions exude contemporary luxury, while staying true to our values.”