Distillery Visits: Bruichladdich

A great asset to the lovers of Islay single malts that Jim McEwan and companions brought this distillery back. It is the only distillery on the island (well, aside the new Kilchoman distillery that is...) which is not build directly on the sea shore, but is separated by a road. The distillery has a rustic and original look to it, but is still different enough from other distilleries. That is because back when the distillery was build, they used a brand new building material: concrete.

If you are lucky enough to be guided through the distillery by Jim McEwan himself, then you are in for a treat. Some day he will have to explain me where he get his energy from, there really is no stopping him! In the beautiful dunnage warehouse we are being treated to a few excellent samples including expressions which are being matured for the independent bottler Murray McDavid which is owned by the same owners of the distillery.

The still room is one of the most beautiful in the industry, in my opinion only rivaled by Strathisla's. Two adjacent pair of still with good looking spirit stills, a wooden floor and a wooden roof just make it look like a stillman's wet dream. Also the cast iron mashtun with old style rakes is eye candy.
In the well stocked shop you can fill your own bottle from the cask. This expression is called Valinch and is only available at the site itself, a true treat.

Do not forget to drive up the road a bit more to visit the museum of Islay Wildlife which is hosted in a former warehouse of the Lochindaal distillery. Across the street in a former church you will find the museum of Islay Life which is a must see as well, it includes an authentic illicit still!