Bruichladdich is unpeated, floral, complex and 100% Scotch rye distilled.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie is essentially pure whisky, distilled and bottled unfiltered and free of artificial colours.
The recipe behind The Classic Laddie is not set in stone, but it is the philosophy of the distillery. They do not strive for uniformity each year, the variety and characteristics of the barley that produces the distillate and his ever-increasing use of woods are the source of the aroma in his warehouses. Each batch of The Classic Laddie is, by nature, unique and substantially different, but ultimately it is the Master Distiller who ensures that this marriage of distillates contains the classic, floral and elegant style of the Bruichladdich house.

The Bruichladdich distillery
Crafted from a selection of casks chosen for each batch of The Classic Laddie, they have been filled with distillate sourced from 100% Scottish barley. The unique combination of ideal climate, high latitude and soil types found in Scotland make the Scottish barley crop perfect for creating the optimum flavour profile during distillation.
Against the stereotype
The Isle of Islay is world-famous for its whisky distilleries and for its distinctive smoked whisky. Bruichladdich single malts are always peat-free, for Bruichladdich there is more to its whiskies than the abundant fuel on the island, a distillation, maturation and bottling process unique to Islay.
Completely exposed to the power of Atlantic storms, the saltpetre of the sea permeates the entire distillery. A fresh marine flavour of salt and citrus accentuates the distinctive taste of The Classic Laddie, something that can only be fully understood by visiting the whisky's home island.
Nothing is added and nothing is extracted
There are two widespread practices in the whisky industry, one is the addition of caramel colouring and the cold filtering process (to remove the natural oils), both of which Bruichladdich rejects.
Many producers add caramel colouring to distinguish the appearance of their whisky from that of others, or to dress up the presence of a whisky more in keeping with the passing of its wood, usually always making the whisky appear darker than it really is.
All The Bruichladdich whiskies show the natural colour achieved in their wood, they show themselves as they are.
The cold filtration process extracts the natural oils from the whisky. When bottled at 40% the oils cause a clouding process that tarnishes the characteristic sheen of many brands, which many find unsightly. Bruichladdich wants the natural essence of its whisky to be retained in the glass, and even its viscosity to be maximized on the palate.
Strength and Character
Bottled at 50% against the trend of 40-46%, the aroma of the distillate at 50% intensifies the barley, the greater Scotch malt flavour. No manipulation of the distillate to compromise quality, the full character of the grain is revealed.
Handcrafted
The creation of Classic Laddie is one of the most complex and demanding responsibilities of its head distiller, Adam Hannett. Each batch must demonstrate the elegant, floral style of the Bruichladdich house, only achieved by bringing together a range of flavours from a wide range of casks. Each will be subtly different from the last.

Addam Hannett
Composing each unique recipe is a rigorous process; Adam must bring a multidimensional picture of the sensory potential around him. He must systematically taste and evaluate each spirit by nose, taste and mouthfeel. It is painstaking and difficult work, requiring a clear head and many checks, pauses and re-evaluations over many weeks. The final formula will be decided in the tranquillity of your tasting room.