Bruichladdich Unveils The Laddie Rye 6-Year US Exclusive

Harvested from Local Islay Grain: Bourbon and Virgin Oak Maturation Showcases Terroir

Located on the Isle of Islay, Scotland, Bruichladdich distillery has officially launched its newest US-exclusive whisky, The Laddie Rye. This single malt Scotch whisky carries a 6-year age statement, bottled at 50% ABV, with grains sourced entirely within 11 miles of the Hebridean distillery, distilled from local rye and malted barley harvested from a single farm in 2019.

Dual Cask Maturation Craft and Flavor Profile

In terms of cask aging, this Bruichladdich whisky combines first-fill bourbon casks with second-fill virgin American oak casks. This release builds upon the success of The Laddie Rye's 2025 US debut, featuring a unique grain recipe of Islay-grown rye and malted barley that showcases distinct local terroir.

According to distillery tasting notes, the whisky yields aromas of crushed cloves, anise, licorice, vanilla, caramel, and toasted coconut. On the palate, vibrant layers of peppery spice, clove, and nutmeg unfold, followed by soft fudge, orchard fruits, and delicately toasted oak notes.

Re-toasted Ex-Bourbon Casks Impart Deep Woody Spice

Bruichladdich Master Distiller Adam Hannett noted that the team explored extensive trials and special cask types for this release. Re-scraping and re-toasting ex-bourbon casks introduced deep, complex layers of wood spice and leathery oak notes that resonate with the earthy character of Islay rye. He added that insights gained from their first rye release allowed the team to extract even richer flavors from the grain, preserving the distillery's signature citrus elegance while achieving a more refined, layered, and terroir-driven profile.

25 Years of Revival: Commitment to Grain Diversity & Sustainable Farming

Since its 2001 revival, Bruichladdich has championed crop biodiversity, experimenting with organic, biodynamic, regenerative agriculture, and heritage barley varieties. Marking the distillery's 25th anniversary of revival, the team has partnered since 2017 with farmer Andrew Jones of Coull Farm to integrate climate-resilient rye into crop rotations, reducing agrochemical inputs and improving soil vitality. Bruichladdich remains the only distillery on Islay producing rye whisky and became the world's first B Corp certified Scotch whisky distillery in 2020. Today, the distillery partners with 19 local farming partners to grow over 50% of its malting barley needs.

📅 Release Date: 2026-10-09

🔗 Source: The Whisky Wire