Single grain whisky from Bruichladdich
We're used to thinking that whisky from Macallan, Highland Park, Mortlach, or Bruichladdich is "single malt whisky." These distilleries - and well over a hundred others - are producers of malt whisky, by definition made from 100 percent malted barley and distilled in alembics. Exactly as indicated by regulations introduced by the Scotch Whisky Association. On the other hand, we associate grain whisky (single grain whisky) primarily with the use of grains other than barley, on top of unmalted, and distillation in rectification columns. In the vast majority of cases, this is indeed the case, although the exception is the Loch Lomond distillery, where distillates are made with the most diverse combinations of grains and firing apparatuses. We've grown accustomed to it, too. Meanwhile, in Bruichladdich..
As announced today, the following has just been launched on the market Bruichladdich The Regeneration Project, which is no more, no less, but precisely single grain whisky. How and from where? One at a time.
Bruichladdich The Regeneration Project single grain whisky is a beverage produced at the Bruichladdich distillery, with a strength of 50% vol., as usual, unfiltered cold and not colored with caramel. This whisky was created in almost exactly the same way as any other Bruichladdich. The only difference here is the use of 45% malted barley and 55% rye in the backfill. And both cereals were grown on Islay. Fermentation, distillation and maturation are again the same processes as for the traditional Bruichladdich single malt whisky. Yes, distillation in alembics. The whisky was matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and first-fill American Virgin oak barrels, or fresh oak barrels.
The new whisky is the third edition included in the series Regeneration Project, but the first to use a grain other than malted barley itself. This change was enough for the final qualification of the liquor to change to single grain whisky. Moreover, as the Scotch Whisky Association did not stipulate a "rye Scotch whisky" category, this is the first Islay Single Grain Scotch Whisky.
The roots of this project date back to 2016, when Bruichladdich, focused on environmentally friendly production that relies as much as possible on local raw materials, began looking for an alternative to artificial fertilization of the fields from which the barley used to make whiskey comes. At the local Coull farm, working with Bruichladdich, it was determined that the best way to avoid fertilization while maintaining soil fertility would be a traditional crop rotation. It was decided to sow part of the half with rye instead of barley. This in itself was a revolutionary move, as rye had never before been grown commercially on Islay. With a long-standing partnership in mind, and a desire to help a friendly farm conduct a rye experiment, the distillery decided to contract the entire rye crop harvested from Coull Farm's fields. This very rye was used to create the whisky debuting today.
Bruichladdich The Regeneration Project is an edition limited to 1,800 bottles, each costing the equivalent of £125.
It is worth mentioning in passing that in Scotland rye whisky has so far been produced by Arbikie, InchDairnie and Teaninich, although the latter has never released single grain Scotch whisky, only its distillates have been used to put together special editions of Johnnie Walker brand blended whisky. The obstacle to the development of this category - unlike the popular rye whiskey from the US - is primarily to be found in Scotland's official categorization of whisky into grain and malt. Any whisky that is not made from 100% barley malt will, by definition, be referred to as "grain whisky," which is not a very marketable category.
Before Bruichladdich single grain whisky hits our shelves, admirers of this Islay distillery are encouraged to check out our current offer of whisky from Bruichladdich. Among them there will be more than one gem worthy of the most demanding palate. Please visit.
[21.03.2023 / photo: Bruichladdich]