Bruichladdich Distillery has released Bruichladdich Old Skool, a limited-edition 10-year-old single malt scotch whisky celebrating 25 years since the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection in 2001. The expression is distilled using 100% Islay-grown malting barley from 14 local growers and is available now at an RRP of $80USD (£60).
Old Skool is the first of three limited-edition anniversary bottlings planned for release this year.
The whisky has matured primarily in hand-selected first-fill American oak bourbon casks, with a small parcel of first-fill Sauternes casks adding depth. It is bottled at 50% ABV, un-chill filtered and with no added color.
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READ THE STORYGareth Brown, global marketing director at Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “Bruichladdich Old Skool is a celebration of our revival and everything we’ve stood for over the last 25 years. When the distillery was brought back to life in 2001, it wasn’t just about reopening the doors — it was about reimagining what Scotch whisky could be, with flavour, transparency, and Islay firmly at the heart.”
Brown added: “Old Skool reflects that founding vision. Distilled using barley grown on our island home and presented in a bottle inspired by our heritage, it’s a reminder that progress doesn’t mean forgetting where you come from.”
All 14 barley growers are located within a nine-mile radius of the distillery. Bruichladdich pioneered the first trial of Islay-grown barley in 2004, reintroducing the grain to the island.
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Master blender Adam Hannett said: “Using 100% Islay-grown barley gives the whisky a depth of flavour and a real sense of place. That natural barley sugar sweetness is central to our house style and runs right through the spirit.”
Hannett described the flavor profile in detail: “It’s matured primarily in carefully selected first-fill bourbon casks, which allow the character of the barley to shine, bringing notes of stoned fruits, citrus zest and caramelised vanilla. A small parcel of first-fill Sauternes casks adds a subtle layer of floral sweetness.”
He added: “This is a whisky shaped by patience and provenance — confident, expressive and rooted in the way we’ve been making whisky on Islay for the past two decades.”
The commemorative bottle draws on retro Bruichladdich label designs from the 1980s. The proprietary bottle features approximately 60% recycled glass content, reflecting the distillery’s sustainability commitments.
Bruichladdich Distillery will mark its 25th anniversary throughout 2026 with a year-long program of events and special limited-edition releases. Old Skool is available via bruichladdich.com and selected whisky retailers.
