“We are delighted to be able to offer a cask of our Organic single malt during this One of One auction. Distilling organic barley sparked a long and fruitful journey of barley exploration for us at Bruichladdich. It began as a quest for superior flavour and has broadened our minds into how important sustainable barley buying is for the future of both whisky and agriculture. This is a rare occasion to participate in that optimistic future.”– Douglas Taylor, CEO

The barley distilled for this One of One cask of Organic whisky was grown at Mid Coul farm in Inverness by William Rose. Quite simply, his farm works in harmony with nature, nourishing the soil with sustainable practices as opposed to conventional farming where crops are raised with artificial inputs. The organic methods William applies would be well recognised by our great grandparents and yet, this farm is thoroughly progressive in its approach to technology and renewable energy operation, with an anaerobic digester on-site.

To produce this flavourful barley without fertilisers or pesticides, crop rotation is key. Barley from MidCoul takes its turn in a seven year cycle that also produces grass for organic cattle and sheep, oats, beans and a megawatt of green electricity. This well-nourished, well balanced soil produces healthy, strong plants which are generally cultivated for their superior flavour. Without doubt, the single malt created with this barley has an unctuous, almost-creamy texture and mouthfeel.

The 2010 harvest of sustainably grown organic barley was malted at Baird’s Malt near to Mid Coul in Inverness. On delivery to Bruichladdich, it was distilled using manual methods by a new generation of craftsmen who judge their spirits by hand, eye, nose and taste. Coaxed from milling to mashing and into a long fermentation in wooden washbacks, this barley would ultimately be trickle distilled through tall, narrow-necked stills for optimal fruit flavours.

After ten years maturing in a quality ex-American oak cask, this Organic single malt is ready for bottling when the winner chooses. The volume of spirit within the cask, if bottled at a strength of 60.2% alcohol by volume, is expected to fill around 225 standard 70cl bottles. The owner should anticipate that this volume will drop if the spirit is left to mature and therefore evaporate from the cask.

Situated on the southwestern tip of the remote Hebridean island of Islay, Bruichladdich Distillery is home to four unique spirits; unpeated Bruichladdich, heavily peated Port Charlotte and super heavily peated Octomore single malts and The Botanist Islay dry gin. Originally founded in 1881, shuttered in 1994, and resurrected in 2001, the original Victorian-era equipment is still used today. A new generation of distillers have taken a progressive approach to bringing the distillery into the 21st Century with values of provenance, transparency and sustainability at their very core.

Setting course to be pioneers, provocateurs and change makers, the once maverick distillery challenged the status quo of Scotch. Reconnecting land and ‘dram’, they questioned where flavor comes from, and why agriculture ecosystems are important. Ahead of their locavore time, their journey would go on to inspire an army of distillers and drinkers across the world.

Bruichladdich Distillery’s work to date was accredited in May 2020 when they became the first Scotch whisky distillery to be B Corp certified. Knowing that there is always more to do, they continue to challenge themselves in order to leave behind a positive legacy for future generations. Currently building on the ethos they established on reopening in 2001, their single malts continue to be conceived, distilled, matured and bottled only on Islay. Their steadfast refusal to outsource has earned them the status of the island’s largest private employer. Their approach to ingredients is also Islay-centric with an average of 19 farming partners raising around 50% of the distillery’s annual barley requirements within 10 miles of the stillhouse.

Summarising their future sustainability ambitions under four pillars, the distillery targets progress in agriculture & biodiversity, energy, packing & waste, and Islay & community.

Under energy, they are reducing their carbon emissions and introducing greener sources of energy where possible. Ultimately, their ambition is to decarbonise distillation (within Scope 1 and 2) by 2025.

Under agriculture and biodiversity, they will continue their research into sustainable agriculture, exploring the models necessary to make them viable. They will be traceable and transparent. They will continue their progressive approach to growing and buying barley and their exploration of regenerative farming practices through partnerships in barley genetics and applying crop rotation systems.

Under packaging and waste, Bruichladdich Distillery is on a mission to use less and use better. From production to packaging, they will reduce their impact and reduce their waste.

For Islay and its local community, the distillery’s social, economic and environmental impact must be a positive one. Their communities on Islay and beyond will continue to be at the heart of every decision they make.