This year, the Islay distillery of Bruichladdich is celebrating 25 years since being revived. This final commemorative bottling also revives the iconic Still Series. Greener Still joins Blacker Still, Redder Still and Golder Still – a set of limited edition single malts released in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. While the previous editions showcased experimental cask maturation, this release shines a light on Bruichladdich’s green credentials.
Greener Still is bottled at 15 Years Old and is uses spirit made from three different barleys. This includes organic barley grown on the Scottish mainland (30% of final whisky) and Bere barley grown on Orkney in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Agronomy Institute (25%). The final one is bio-dynamic barley cultivated in Wiltshire, England (45%). This is Bruichladdich’s only exception to its 100% Scottish barley rule. All have been fully matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels.
Bruichladdich (pronounced brook-laddie) is located on the western peninsula of Islay and sits on the shores of Loch Indaal. Founded in 1881 by Barnett Harvey, the distillery was one of the first buildings in the UK to be constructed using concrete. Bruichladdich translates as ‘the brae (or hillside) by the shore’ from Gaelic.
The current owners are Remy Cointreau, who took control in 2012 from a group of independent entrepreneurs. They had renovated the distillery and revived the brand following a period of closure between 1995 and 2001. The current capacity is two million litres per year. Unusually they produce three different styles of single malt at the distillery – classic unpeated Bruichladdich, peated Port Charlotte and heavily peated Octomore.
Bruichladdich Greener Still is released at 51.6% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The exact number of bottles in the limited batch has not been revealed. They are available from the Bruichladdich website and visitor centre on Islay, plus via selected specialist whisky retailers in the UK and beyond. Each bottle will cost £120/ US$165.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is bright gold and the nose is bright, sweet and laden with fruit. Aromas of juicy peach and ripe apricot mingle with freshly grated coconut and a hint of pineapple. Some baked apple sits underneath. There is also plenty of vanilla, plus some floral honey and golden syrup. Further notes of oak spice and dusty dried grass or hay are evident with time.
On the palate this whisky feels silky and creamy with a distinct lemon-like zesty quality cutting through. Early on, the palate is again laden with fruit. This is tropical in nature as before – think of peach, apricot and a suggestion of pineapple but with a hint of overripe banana and crisp green pear. There is a further hint of tinned lychee in the background. A vanilla custard note accentuates the fruit and adds to the creamy and slightly buttery feel.
Fresh coconut and a hint of hazelnut come through nicely, while notes of honey and golden syrup add to the sweetness. With time a drying woody characteristic evolves to add balance. A distinct underlying malty note also helps with this. This has an earthy, slightly chocolate-like quality. A peppery heat adds warmth and a mouthwatering prickle towards the end. This serves to enhance the vibrancy that is present throughout.
The finish is of decent length and becomes drier with time. This is especially true once the fruit and sweeter elements fade. This allows the malt and oak spice to dominate and create a delicious mouthwatering vibe. Hints of lemon tart, marzipan and a pinch of sea salt come through right at the close to give an intriguing twist.
What’s The Verdict?
Simply put, this is a delicious whisky from Bruichladdich. We have never sampled any of the legendary previous releases in the Still Series, but this feels like it would sit nicely amongst them. The vibrancy and bright fruitiness is impressive and balanced nicely with the malty and oak spice characteristics. This whisky feels like a fitting tribute to the Islay distillery’s revival in 2001, when its future looked very shaky indeed. Now it could not look brighter as the brand goes from strength to strength.
