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What's different about Bruichladdich post 2001?

Independent
No longer part of a multi national conglomerate, but now owned by a 100% private company, run by a young team, passionate about quality, integrity, and natural whisky. The first Distillation recommenced on 29th May 2001. The preceding five months saw a  complete overhaul of the equipment, some of it dating back to 1881, by our excellent team and with the help of local experts. We are not members of the Scotch Whisky Association  - the industry club financed by the industry  to promote/protect the industry's needs - as opposed to the connoisseur's.

Water
All water used in the Distillery comes from our own loch in the hills behind the Distillery - a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. From here it is fed to the Distillery by a dedicated under ground pipeline to holding reservoirs beside the still house. For bottling, we use the water from a local spring.

Strength
In the old days, casks were filled at the strength straight from the spirit receiver, about 70% vol. However, the policy throughout Scotland has been to reduce the strength, prior to filling the casks, from 70% to 60%. At Bruichladdich, in keeping with our traditional methods of production, we have reverted to the old way, and fill casks at their full natural strength - straight from the still.

Cask Policy
We operate an active cask management policy, with our own cooperage under James McColl. An interesting variety of cask types are used, not for 'finishing' - the half hearted fad in the industry for taking bland mature whisky and cooking it inside different wood types under high pressure for a short while in order to try to extract some flavours. No, this is full term aging in Fresh Sherry, Rum, Madeira, Fresh Bourbon and Port woods.

Islay Matured
A large amount of whisky distilled on Islay is stored on the mainland for convenience, far from the seaside and brine influences of Islay's Atlantic shores. Bruichladdich stores all its whisky on the island. Port Charlotte whisky is stored in the old distillery  buildings of Port Charlotte three miles away.

Cuvées
All casks are tasted, prior to being selected for a bottling by Jim McEwan (three times winner of Distiller of the Year)- not haphazardly  by anonymous computer. We provide different styles of Bruichladdich to suit all occasions and palates.

Islay Bottling
Since 1/4/03 All  whisky is bottled at our own bottling hall, under our own supervision in small batches - with Islay Spring water (Pre 1/4/03, our water was tankered to  Glasgow). All bottlings are natural, caramel free and unchillfiltered.

Quality
If one's going to do it at all, one might as well do it properly.