Scotland, Isle of Islay. Distillery operational. Owner: Remy Cointreau

Owned by Invergordon Distillers from 1968 until 1993, when it joined the Whyte & Mackay portfolio, Bruichladdich closed in 1995. At the time it produced an unpeated malt primarily used for blends. Whilst well-known for its bourbon casks released in 10, 15 and 21 year old versions, it was above all the sherry-cask versions selected and bottled for the Italian market that made a lasting impression. It was for Moon Import that Penny Black 1968 and Bruichladdich 1965 (52%) - celebrating the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer - were bottled in ceramic jugs.Bought in December 2000 by Mark Reynier and reopened in May 2001, the distillery has since released endless limited editions and exclusive bottlings, including a superb 40 year old, several 1970 and 1972 vintages, and the Legacy range, primarily featuring bottlings from the late 1960s.

A Bruichladdich distilled in 1983 and bottled at cask strength in 2002, matured in an Oloroso sherry cask. Valinch bottlings were presented in 50 cl bottles and only available from the distillery. A valinch is the pipette-like copper instrument used to extract whisky directly from the cask. Some versions were bottled by visitors themselves. A limited edition of 826 bottles to celebrate the first anniversary of the distillery’’s reopening.