Bruichladdich 14 yo Yellow Submarine [Reclassified]

 

 

 

54,2°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

1st Fill Bourbon and French Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It has now been a quarter of a century since the Bruichladdich distillery reopened, and we cannot emphasise enough what a miracle this reopening is, and what an exceptionally bold undertaking it was. To celebrate this momentous occasion in the history of whisky and this success, there is nothing quite like reviving one of the distillery’s most legendary bottlings: the Yellow Submarine. Originally released in 2005 to welcome a Royal Navy contingent who had come to retrieve a mysterious yellow submarine that had run aground off the coast of Islay, it was reissued several times in the following years, then revived for the first time in 2018 with a truly epic 25-year-old expression that has gone down in history. This one is only 14 years old, like the first editions, it is matured in Bourbon and French red wine casks, and 12,000 bottles have been produced. Bottling took place in late March 2026, which is why I am almost certain that distillation took place in late 2011. It is slightly diluted and subtitled ‘Whisky of Mass Distinction IV’, a play on the acronym WMD, which usually stands for ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’. It was released to mark Feis Ile 2026, but is available in many shops these days. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Vanilla and honey, egg custard, caramel sauce, it’s floral and grainy. Wax and lychees, candied barley, cooked mirabelle plums, yet the balance is fabulous. A variety of citrus fruits, from pineapple to lime, wafers topped with whipped cream. Subtle mint, a generous hint of slightly salty iodine. On the palate, it is onctuous, creamy, speculoos biscuits, candied lemon, soft banana, Reine-Claude plum jam, very subtle spices. A long and explosive finish, shortbread biscuits, liquorice sticks, aniseed, blond tobacco leaves, mineral overtones. 

 

In Short, 

It’s absolutely perfect, the wine casks are very subtle and simply add a touch of fruitiness to the whole, it’s a very recognisable Bruichladdich, with all the hallmarks of the distillery’s character, but with a touch of cream and jam thrown in. For now, it’s still easy to find, I’d advise buying some straight away as we don’t know whether it’ll suddenly become a hot commodity or not. Needless to say, I’ve already snapped up a bottle myself. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

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