Dram Good Growth

Picture courtesy of Islay Studios www.islaystudios.co.uk

Bruichladdich is now the fastest growing single malt distillery brand in the world recently released figures from the Scotch Malt Whisky Industry Review 2006 confirm.

The Annual review, published by stockbrokers Charles Stanley put Bruichladdich as the 27^th biggest selling single malt distillery brand worldwide and 16th in the UK. There are 85 distilleries in production.

Not bad for such a small, private company that only started five years ago, especially one that does not sell to the big markets such as Duty Free etc., has minimalist marketing budget, and a sales team of just three! Expect a higher ranking when 2005 figures are released next year.

The team taking on the might of the drinks industry consists of Sales Director Andrew Gray, Lynne McEwan (Jim’ daughter) and Donald McClellan.

“We have been successful in developing sales through a combination of innovation, good distributors and exceptional whisky.” Says Andrew.

“As we become yet more profitable, and more stock comes on line, Bruichladdich could become a major brand to contend with. Long term anything is possible - we certainly won’t be constrained by vision.”

That vision will see eight new Bruichladdich releases over the next two months as part of our strategy to offer continued variety and individuality.

These include an extraordinary 125th Anniversary bottling that brought a tear to Simon’s eye when he first tasted it. The fifth in the Legacy series. A gently peat-influenced seven year old called Waves, and a predominantly bourbon wood influenced 2nd Edition of the 12 year old.

In addition, there will be two extraordinary debutants and a further two exciting new updated editions – more details later.

Our policy comes in for criticism from jealous industry players used to producing this number of new bottlings in two decades rather than two months.

Bottling naturally, on Islay, without homogenisation or chill-filtering means the art of actually designing the bottlings takes on epic importance. This job falls to three times Distiller of the Year Jim McEwan:

“Andrew sometimes gives me a rough idea of what sort of thing he is looking for, other times I am just checking out the casks. Thenn I pretty much just follow my nose – literally.”

An unusually wide variety of cask types - both American and European oak -together with an extraordinary diverse range of origins from Buffalo Trace to Chateau d’Yquem gives us a huge diversity of flavours.

“I am always discovering new styles in the warehouses - I can’t help it. Sharing those experiences with a wider audience by new and updated editions keeps me sane. Would you rather I undiscovered them? Boy do we have some humdingers coming your way this Autumn!”