Organic Developments for Islay Distiller

Bruichladdich has released the world’s first organic Islay single malt whisky on the day the Hebridean island’s first grain facility opened  - in time for this year’s barley harvest.

In a time when Scotch whisky is increasingly being bottled over seas, from barley from who knows where, its historic connections being lost, its reputation compromised, this first organic bottling (certified by the Bio Dynamic Agricultural Association) represents the direction Bruichladdich has been going since we  reopened it in 2001: unparalleled Scottish provenance, quality, variety, authenticity and traceability.

This is the ultimate “single”, single malt (single farm, harvest, variety and vintage) distilled from Chalice barley grown by William Rose at Culblair in summer of 2003. This first organic bottling represents the direction Bruichladdich has been going since it was reopened in 2001. Unparalleled Scottish provenance, quality, variety and traceability.
Duncan McGillivray, manager of the privately-owned distillery, said: “it’s the way is used to be - ultimate authenticity - real people, real places, real character. That’s what we’re about”

Over 1000 tons of Scottish-grown organic barley is now grown for us annually on 8 different Scottish farms, that's 50% of our current total annual requirement. All Bruichladdich is naturally bottled here at the distillery in Islay's only bottling hall at 46% alc/vol with Islay spring water – chill-filtration and colouring-free - to complete the natural authenticity.

The Octofad facility (weighbridge, unloading area, drying house and storage) means each of the 15 Islay farm’s harvests can be kept separate until ready for malting later in the year. “Being able to dry our barley “off the field” makes harvesting logistics less frantic, less risky and more efficient. With the current poor weather it is not a moment too soon. Environmentally too, by trucking one load of ‘green’ barley to the maltings at Bairds, and returning with one load of ‘malted’ barley means less of a footprint.”

We’re very proud; it’s the culmination of a great team effort. People thought we were mad, perhaps we are, but the taste makes it all worth while; the proof is in the pudding. There are just 15,000 bottles of the Bruichladdich 2003 “Culblair Farm” edition, is the first of the ultimate “single”, single malt. We've called it “Anns an t-seann doigh”. That's the Gaelic for ‘the way it used to be’.