At 51.6% ABV, Bruichladdich's latest single malt whisky is not exactly a quiet arrival. But the real story behind Greener Still is less about its strength and more about what went into the bottle. Created for Bruichladdich's 25th anniversary, Greener Still 15-year-old single malt whisky is an unpeated Islay matured entirely in first-fill Bourbon casks. It is bottled without chill filtration or added colour and is available for £120. The limited-edition whisky will be available through Bruichladdich.com and specialist whisky retailers from August 2026.
This is where Greener Still single malt whisky gets interesting. The whisky brings together organic, biodynamic and Bere barley, putting the spotlight firmly on the raw material rather than leaving the cask. The organic barley is grown on the Scottish mainland, while the biodynamic barley comes from Yatesbury House Farm in Wiltshire.
Then there is Bere, an ancient barley variety cultivated in Orkney. For Bruichladdich, it is another way of shaping the flavour before the spirit reaches the barrel.
Greener Still also brings back the name of Bruichladdich's Still Series, which began with Blacker Still, Redder Still and Golder Still between 2006 and 2008. Those whisky releases explored different approaches to maturation. Now, Greener Still has shifted the attention from the cask to the grain itself.
That gives this new single malt whisky bottle a little more significance for collectors.
Islay whisky often comes with an expectation of smoke. Greener Still does not play along. It is unpeated, with the distillery's tasting notes instead pointing towards lavender, honeysuckle, toasted oak and orchard fruit, followed by baked apple crumble, cinnamon sugar, heather and rosemary.
On the palate, ripe pear, malt, cinnamon, chocolate caramel and honeyed citrus take over. And finally, the Bourbon casks provide structure. At 51.6% ABV, Greener Still whisky arrives with plenty of intensity.