Bruichladdich Celebrates 25 Years With Release of 10 Year Old Single Malt Old Skool

To celebrate a quarter-century since its 2001 revival, the Islay-based Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled Old Skool, a new 10-year-old single malt. 

The release will be the first of three limited edition anniversary bottlings that will be released this year. It was distilled using 100% Islay-grown malting barley from 14 local growers, all located within a nine-mile radius of the distillery.

The expression was primarily matured in American oak Bourbon casks with a small parcel of first-fill Sauternes casks, which is said to have added depth and nuance to the whisky.

The whisky is presented in a commemorative bottle inspired by retro Bruichladdich labels of the 1980s, and are themselves made of approximately 60% recycled glass content.

It is said to have notes of:

Nose: A medley of ripe stone fruits opens with apricot, nectarine, and red plum.

Palate: Juicy stone fruits, adding a bright citrus lift alongside layers of soft barley sugar, stewed pear and ripe apple. Warming clove and ginger offer gentle spice, with toasted almond, golden brown sugar, and a hint of minerality giving the whisky depth, complexity and structure.

Finish: Apricot jam and toasted coconut settle.

Master blender Adam Hannett said: “It’s matured primarily in carefully selected first-fill Bourbon casks, which allow the character of the barley to shine, bringing notes of stone fruits, citrus zest and caramelised vanilla. A small parcel of first-fill Sauternes casks adds a subtle layer of floral sweetness, working in harmony with the fruity spirit and the inherent richness of Islay malt barley."

Since its 2001 revival, Bruichladdich has focused on the diversity of barley as a primary driver of flavor, seeking to re-establish the connection between whisky and its agricultural origins. This commitment to raw ingredients led the distillery to pioneer the first modern trial of Islay-grown barley in 2004, successfully reintroducing grain cultivation to the island for the first time in decades.

This year, Bruichladdich will celebrate the anniversary of its resurrection with a year-long programme of events and special limited edition releases, paying tribute to the people, products and place behind the distillery’s revival and looking ahead to the next quarter of a century, and beyond.

At 50% ABV, the Bruichladdich Old Skool has an MSRP of £60 (US$81) and is available via bruichladdich.com and in selected whisky retailers from 10 Mar.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team