Bruichladdich was built in 1881 by the Harvey brothers on the shore of Loch Indaal, on the Rinns of Islay, the westernmost part of the island.
The uniquely tall and narrow-necked stills were chosen to produce a very pure and original spirit, the opposite of the styles produced by the older farm distilleries of the time.
All the distillery’s whiskies are sold as single malts, with those designated Bruichladdich being unpeated, those designated Port Charlotte being heavily peated, and those designated Octomore being super-heavily peated. Octomore is considered to be 'the most heavily peated single malt whisky in the world'.
All barley used is exclusively Scottish, some of which has been grown on Islay since 2004. Individual farms, farmers and even the fields in which the grain is grown, are identified on the packaging where possible.
The distillery's commitment to Islay has resulted in the company becoming the largest private employer on Islay with around sixty jobs on the island.
In 2003, Bruichladdich launched its popular "Links Series" to much critical acclaim.
Much of the equipment in use is the original Victorian equipment.
