Feis Ile 2026 at Bruichladdich; Douglas Laing at Port Charlotte; Bruichladdich RTD Partnership
Hello everyone
Well, a few days back from a gloriously sunny Islay where we had a great time at the Bruichladdich Masterclass in Warehouse 13.
Massive video screens for still pictures and video footage. I think I even saw a fleeting still of me at the re-opening in 2001. This time there were 500 people each with 6 samples so 3,000 samples and 3,000 nosing glasses. No wonder they said it had taken them weeks to get the little sample bottles filled. I did wonder about a Guinness Book of Records attempt but apparently this isn‘t the largest masterclass they‘ve done. That was in Sweden, I believe.
Founding director (now retired), Simon Coughlin came on stage after Dram 1 to tell us some tales about the hairy first few years when they were aiming simply to survive. One tale about Port Charlotte 5, which was the first of their own distillations that they launched, came about rather by accident. Concentrating on getting the equipment working and financial matters, they intended to acquire unpeated malt. However, that was forgotten about amongst everything else and Port Ellen had only peated malt available when they came to order, just in time for first production. Happy outcome, though!
The wonderful Mary MacGregor who has been there guiding and in the shop and around generally for 23 of these 25 years was also 
on stage to tell us what Bruichladdich means to her and that really it‘s not just about the team there but Bruichladdich enthusiasts worldwide. As expected she got a great cheer as she‘s so well known to all who visit. It was Mary who told me afterwards they had a seat for me in the front row along with other old friends from the past 25 years but they couldn‘t find me to tell me! However, we were happy where we were and enjoyed it all.
Guest star number 3 was current CEO, Douglas Taylor who also had some fun tales, particularly about his interview process before he joined Bruichladdich. It seemed to cover at least three stages including a chair from which the bottom fell out but he clearly survived. Mark Reynier, the original mover, with Simon, to acquire and re-open the distillery also sent a video message from his home. Final appearance and another important one, was Lynne McEwan, daughter of the renowned Jim who, along with Mark and Simon, got Bruichladdich back up and running and created so many of their fine expressions till his retirement from there. Lynne has worked on the whiskies and The Botanist gin in marketing and sales. Much to my surprise, she is leaving soon but whether to take a break for a while or immediately move on to something new, I don‘t yet know.
Anyway, we were treated to 6 drams a few of which were purely for this 25th anniversary masterclass and may not be seen again. One such was Dram 4, The Current Keepers, a salute to all 107 current members of the Bruichladdich team. According to Adam it‘s technically not whisky yet so there will be some young element (under 3 years of age) to it. It comprises 107 different components and spans all stocks from 1989 to 2025 using Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Octomore, triple distillation, quadruple distillation and 26 different cask types. We also enjoyed a Black Art Masterclass 2026 (Dram 5) specially for the day so no public release there either. Black Art is much sought after by Bruichladdich fans. It was a 19 year old at 48.4% abv and what a character!
This year‘s special anniversary Feis Ile bottlings were included. I had only their official tasting notes when I wrote about them last time. Dram 1 was PC Redux at 63.5% and matured in first-fill bourbon and rechar bourbon as well as some oloroso and PX casks. I got so much out of this one so buy some if you can still get hold of it. Same with the Octomore Black Art Redux (Dram 6) at 54.2%. This one was first made in 2016. The new version is an homage to that first and, like the PC5 Redux, not exactly the same as the first one but so, so good.
Dram 3 was Bruichladdich Old Skool from first-fill bourbon wood and sauternes casks and which I covered back in March with their notes but got to taste it this time. Gentle orchard fruit, soft oak and vanilla with lemon and lime juices on the nose alongside marshmallows and ripe melon. On the palate sweet fruit, licorice, much more and distinctly elegant. The last dram, number 2 was the WMD Yellow Submarine Reclassified – a 14 year old at 50% abv and a reminder of the original MD Yellow Submarine. I did really like this one too with its nose of candy floss, baked fruit, mellow oak, candied citrus as well as fresh zest and melon and a deliciously fruity palate.
Next year isn‘t a landmark anniversary but I‘d still encourage you to go to their Feis Ile masterclass next year or whichever year you can.
Now, many of you may know that I stopped doing my annual dinner for Feis Ile at The Port Charlotte Hotel last year, deciding that 20 years of matching the whiskies was enough stress. I‘m pleased to say that the mantle was taken up by Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. the independent blending and bottling company who are undertaking several events on Islay for Feis Ile. A bit differently from me, they are using expressions from their own extensive ranges of fine whiskies whereas I was looking at expressions from all the Islay and Jura distilleries and requesting donations of the relevant bottles. Chloe Wood of DL & Co.and her colleague Dougal Barr were the evening‘s hosts. It was lovely to meet Chloe as she sends me media releases for new expressions as well as samples when possible. I didn‘t know till recently that she‘s from Islay and worked at Kilchoman Distillery before. I didn‘t attend their dinner myself but nipped in briefly to say hello and they were kind enough to give me sample sizes of the whiskies they were using on the night. Still to sit down and nose/taste as it‘s been so busy since I got home. A shot of the menu with matching whiskies is here - cracking! There was certainly plenty of buzz in the room when I was in the adjoining lounge so it sounded like a successful evening and I do hope they take it forward in future. They‘re a lovely team at Douglas Laing, as are the people at The Port Charlotte.
One last mention of Bruichladdich. Just this week, they announced a collaboration, „... with bartender-founded drinks brand Whitebox to create a limited run of full-strength canned cocktails. 4 spirit forward, bar quality, classic cocktails ready to be enjoyed at home. Available now, exclusively in the UK.“ The cocktails are:
Bruichladdich Whisky Sour
Port Charlotte Penicillin
The Botanist Dry Martini
The Botanist White Negroni
There is also a pack containing all 4. One to put on the summer drinks shopping list. Find out more and purchase at https://uk.bruichladdich.com/collections/whitebox?utm_campaign=BCD_uk_whitebox-launch&utm_medium=email&utm_source=crm&utm_term=__.
Well, that‘s all from me until Mid-June when I hope summer will have started fully, weather-wise, as this next week in Glasgow isn‘t looking too sunny.
Till then, happy dramming.
Slainte,
Caroline
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