Overview: Bruichladdich Distillery has announced the launch of The Laddie Rye, a six-year-old single malt Scotch whisky released as a US exclusive on 9th Oct 2026. This announcement coincides with the distillery’s 25th anniversary and highlights an extensive cereal-growing programme focused on locally sourced ingredients.
The Full Story
The release marks a significant milestone for Bruichladdich, which has championed cereal diversity since its revival in 2001 to reconnect whisky with its essential raw ingredient. Today, the distillery works with 19 farming partners across Islay to cultivate more than 50% of the malting barley used in overall production. The Laddie Rye features a distinctive mash bill combining Islay-grown rye and malting barley harvested within an 11-mile radius of the distillery. Partner Andrew Jones of Coull Farm has cultivated this climate-resilient crop since 2017, making Bruichladdich the only distillery on Islay producing rye whisky.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary, the latest release demonstrates an unwavering commitment to balancing people, profit and planet. The distillery achieved B Corp certification in 2020 as the first Scotch whisky company in the world to do so. Following the success of The Laddie Rye’s US debut in 2025, this latest release is available from selected retailers in the US for a RRP of $59.99.
Production & Profile
Bruichladdich – The Laddie Rye (50% ABV) is matured in a combination of first-fill Bourbon barrels and second-fill American virgin oak casks. Distilled from a single farm harvest in 2019, the spirit was aged for six years. Adam Hannett, Bruichladdich’s Master Blender, noted that the de-char/re-char of the ex-bourbon barrels adds depth and complexity, bringing immense wood spice and a robust, leathery oak character.
The nose features crushed cloves, aniseed, liquorice, vanilla, caramel, and toasted coconut. The palate reveals notes of peppery spice, clove, nutmeg, soft caramel, orchard fruits and smouldering oak. Hannett stated that the team was able to extract even more from the grain this time around, resulting in a refined, layered and earthy expression true to Bruichladdich’s signature elegant, citrus character.
Brand & Industry History
Since its revival in 2001, Bruichladdich has championed cereal diversity in an effort to reconnect whisky with its essential raw ingredient. The distillery developed an extensive cereal-growing programme exploring organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming methods, ancient barley varieties and Islay-grown grains. Today, the distillery works with 19 farming partners across Islay to cultivate more than 50% of the malting barley used in its overall production. As a rotational crop, rye helps diversify crop rotations and reduce the need for agrochemicals, supporting regenerative agriculture and long-term soil health. The distillery became the first Scotch whisky company in the world to achieve B Corp certification in 2020 and continues to use its business as a force for good.
What This Means
This release is said to demonstrate Bruichladdich’s unwavering commitment to balancing people, profit and planet. The distillery uses its business as a force for good, leveraging knowledge from the inaugural rye expression to extract even more from the grain this time around. It represents a celebration of raw ingredients and authenticity, taking the spirit in a new direction while maintaining the signature elegant, citrus character associated with the brand.
Consumer Takeaway
Bruichladdich – The Laddie Rye is now available from selected retailers in the US for a RRP of $59.99. This six-year-old single malt Scotch whisky offers aromas of crushed cloves, aniseed, liquorice, vanilla, caramel and toasted coconut on the nose. The palate reveals notes of peppery spice, clove, nutmeg, soft caramel, orchard fruits and smouldering oak for the drinker.
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