Bruichladdich goes Old Skool with this 10-year-old whisky

Thursday, 12 March 2026 at 07:05

The Scottish distillery Bruichladdich has unveiled a brand-new whisky to mark its 25th anniversary. This Islay whisky goes Old Skool and puts local farmers in the spotlight.

The new Bruichladdich whisky doesn’t just go Old Skool. It’s literally called that. The name fits, as it harks back to traditional ways of making whisky. It’s a tribute to 20 years of whisky-making, even though this single malt itself is only 10 years old.

A nod to fruitful collaborations

What makes the new whisky stand out is that all the barley is sourced from Islay. Bruichladdich used barley from 14 local farms for the spirit. Here they are listed:

Claggan Farm
Coull Farm
Craigens Farm
Cruach Farm
Dunlossit Estate
Eorrabus Farm
Island Farm
Islay Estate
Kilchiaran Farm
Mulindry Farm
Rockside Farm
Ronnachmore Farm
Starchmill Farm
Sunderland Farm

According to Bruichladdich, this release is a tribute to the farmers the distillery has been working with for more than 20 years. What began with a single Islay farm has grown into a network of local producers who together supply the characterful Islay barley Bruichladdich is known for.

What kind of whisky is Bruichladdich Old Skool?

Bruichladdich Old Skool 10 Year Old is an unpeated single malt whisky. The spirit matured for 10 years, mostly in first-fill bourbon casks (95%), complemented by a smaller share of first-fill Sauternes wine casks (5%).

The whisky comes in a classic-looking bottle. Its label is inspired by Bruichladdich’s 1980s style. But how does this Islay single malt taste?

How does Bruichladdich Old Skool taste?

The tasting notes are given in generous detail. Here’s the rundown:

Nose: A vibrant mix of ripe stone fruit opens with apricot, nectarine, and red plum. Creamy vanilla custard and barley sugar with subtle notes of orange blossom and fresh geranium leaf. A gentle coastal salinity follows, with hints of soft coconut and crème caramel.
Palate: Full and slightly oily with stone fruit, layers of barley sugar, stewed pear, and ripe apple. Oak, creamy coconut tones, and caramelized vanilla custard. Warming spices of clove and ginger, with roasted almond, brown sugar, and a light minerality.
Finish: Apricot jam and toasted coconut linger on, joined by a lively hint of grapefruit and lemon zest.

The whisky is bottled at 50% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Price and availability

The Bruichladdich Old Skool 10 Year Old is a limited-release single malt available for a short time only. It’s currently being sold through the distillery’s official website. The recommended price is around 60 pounds. In Europe, that translates to roughly 70 to 75 euros, depending on retailer and import costs.

Given the limited run and the fact that this whisky is made entirely from Islay-grown barley, it’s likely to be especially appealing to collectors and fans of terroir-driven whisky.