Bruichladdich to build own maltings

Bruichladdich is to build its own on-site maltings by 2023 as part of plans to ‘close the loop’ on its all-Islay production process.The distillery currently grows 42% of its barley locally on the island, but sends it to Inverness for malting.By building its own maltings within the distillery grounds, Bruichladdich hopes to be ‘more flexible’ with its barley experimentation, and further its investigation into barley provenance and traceability. However, the new maltings are still subject to planning approval.The move will also see Bruichladdich oversee its entire production process, from growing the barley on its own fields, through to on-site maturation and bottling. While the installation of a maltings will considerably reduce traffic on Islay’s struggling ferries and worn roads, Bruichladdich is also exploring renewable energy sources such as tidal, water turbine and biomass technologies, to reduce its carbon footprint.In addition, Bruichladdich has acquired the 30 acres of Shore House Croft adjacent to the distillery, where it intends to develop barley trials and test sustainable farming practices.The trials will involve growing different barley varieties not on the UK’s Recommended Growing List that are suited to the extreme weather conditions of Scotland’s west coast.