Whisky Review: The Bruichladdich Thirty

Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whisky from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.

Since its reopening in 2001 following a seven-year shuttering, Scotland’s Bruichladdich distillery has carved a unique niche for itself among the Islay-based whisky makers. It’s not just the whisky that’s unique, but also the approach. Bruichladdich’s uniquenesses, which keep fans coming back, are rooted in its Islay-centric approach. The distillery strives to keep as many of its operations on the island as possible, including significant use of locally grown malt in some of its expressions and having enough warehousing to ensure all single malts are conceived, distilled, matured, and bottled solely on the island.

Its whiskies are split among three different brands: Bruichladdich, an unpeated Islay single malt Scotch whisky; Port Charlotte, a heavily peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky; and Octomore, the world’s most heavily peated Scotch whisky series . The Bruichladdich line-up recently saw the addition of the new Luxury Redefined range, described as this brand’s first permanent high-age statement whiskies. Thus far, it includes an 18-year-old and a 30-year-old.

What’s in the bottle

The whisky being reviewed here, The Bruichladdich Thirty, is a 30-year-old Scotch single malt distilled around the time of the Bruichladdich shutdown in 1994. Matured entirely in ex-bourbon casks, it was crafted in part to pay homage to the two remaining staff members who, over the seven years the distillery was shut, “safeguarded the casks which continued to mature in the depths of the warehouses, before the distillery was reopened in 2001.”

“The Bruichladdich Thirty has been distilled using these legacy – almost lost – casks, capturing a pivotal moment in time for the distillery,” explained Head Distiller Adam Hannett at the time of this whisky’s release. “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 Bruichladdich Thirty is bottled at 43.2% ABV and priced at $1,999.99.