Bruichladdich Scotch Whisky

Bruichladdich Whisky Distillery History

Established by Robert, William & Barnett Harvey in1881 the distillery was re-built and reopened under the Bruichladdich Distillery Co (Islay) Ltd (under Harvey family control) in 1886 Robert Harvey was the First manager.

1897 Barnet Harvey, founder of Bruichladdich, dies without issue

In 1889 William Harvey takes over as Manager until his death in 1937

A New Mash Tun arrives from Bunnahabhain at some point in 1900

The distillery was silent from 1929 until 1937 when it was purchased by the partnership of Hatim Attari, Joseph Hobbs and Alexander Tolmie. Quickly afterwards transferred to Associated Scottish Distillers Ltd (National Distillers of America)

Silent during the Second World War 1941 to 1945

A new Boiler house was built in 1949

During 1952 the distillery was bought by Ross and Coulter Ltd (Glasgow whisky brokers), just avoiding DCL’s control, which acquired Train & McIntyre in 1953

AB Grant buys the distillery in 1960 following the freeing of Scotch whisky exports from post- war rationing. The new owners began a programme of modest expansion of output, which had nearly doubled capacity from the original designed volume.

Acquired by Invergordon Distillers for £40,000 in 1969

At some point in 1975 Invergordon extended the distillery, enlarging the mash house and tun room and adding second pair of Stills, now four stills, bringing annual capacity to 800,000 proof gallons.

The original mill and washbacks installed by the Harvey brothers remain. Bruichladdich has tall stills which produce a relatively clean spirit and is certainly light-bodied in comparison to most of the other Islay malts

In 1993 Invergordon Distillers was acquired by Whyte & Mackay who mothball the distillery two years later in 1995.

New Owners

2000 19th December 2000 bought by a small independent company of private individuals, headed by Mark Reynier, Gordon Wright and Simon Coughlin of Murray McDavid.

29th May 2001 - first distillation after 5 months of refurbishment of the old existing machinery, A new whisky, based on the original distillates from the end of the nineteenth century is the first: 'Port Charlotte', heavily peated at 40 ppm.

1st June 2001 - The Bruichladdich 'Valincher' available. 50cl bottles filled by hand by the purchaser at the distillery

8th July 2001 - First distillation run of traditional Bruichladdich, distilled at 10 ppm phenolic content.

5th September 2001 Scottish launch of the new bottlings of Bruichladdich 10 fifteen and twenty un-chill filtered, un-coloured and reduced to 46% with Islay Spring water

This distillery is on the beautiful western shore of Loch Indaal. Production started in 1881 by the Harvey brothers

The distillery is fiercely proud of it's private status: 100% Private equity, mainly Scottish money including from Islay, registered in Glasgow. 100% private shareholders - no corporate bodies.

Distilled on Victorian machinery for purity. Unpeated barley gives the floral character. Tall, narrow-necked stills provide a medicine-free, medium weight body. American oak casks introduce vanilla notes. Naturally bottled for maximum flavour and rich texture. Recently released peated versions provide the smoke.

Bruichladdich Distillery Bottlings

Bruichladdich Whisky Independent Bottlings

Adelphi,

Blackadder,

Cadenhead's,

Cask Strength (Duncan Taylor),

Gordon & MacPhail

Murray McDavid,

Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Peerless (Duncan Taylor),

Scott's Selection

Signatory

SMWS

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