Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Single Islay Malt Whisky 70 cl 54,2%

When you're accused of hiding weapons of mass destruction, you can either issue a denial or bottle a whisky. Bruichladdich bottled a whisky. A few years later a stray yellow submarine turned up off the coast of Islay, and it got a whisky too. Two decades on, the sub has surfaced once more.

Expert description

Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III Reclassified 14 year is an unpeated Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in 1st fill bourbon barrels and 1st and 2nd fill French red wine casks from Bordeaux, bottled at 54.2%.

It's the second limited release marking 25 years since Bruichladdich was brought back to life in 2001, and the third chapter of the Whisky of Mass Distinction series that started in 2005 and returned in 2018. The backstory is hard to beat. In the early 2000s, US military intelligence had the distillery flagged as a possible weapons site. Bruichladdich played along, and when a Ministry of Defence submarine went astray and was found off the island in 2005, the name of the next bottling wrote itself.

The maturation profile is inspired by the recipe behind the very first Yellow Submarine. 75% of the whisky spent its time in 1st fill bourbon barrels, 25% in red wine casks. Back in 2005 those were Spanish Rioja. This time they're 1st and 2nd fill Bordeaux casks. The spirit is made from 100% Scottish Appaloosa barley, grown on the mainland and malted without peat. Bourbon brings honey, vanilla and a soft creamy base, while the Bordeaux casks add ripe fruit, toasted nuts and warm spice. Non-chill filtered, no added colour, reduced with Islay spring water. Master Blender Adam Hannett calls it one of those whiskies that makes you smile as soon as you nose it.

Yellow Submarine III was released on 1 June 2026 in limited quantities.

Tasting notes

Nose

Honey-sweet oats and buttery shortbread up front. Hazelnut and praline follow, with nutmeg and a gentle nip of ginger underneath.

Palate

Smooth and full despite the strength. Fresh orange zest and honeysuckle open, then crisp apple and pear. It rounds out into crème brûlée, finished with a pinch of sea salt.

Finish

Long and lingering. Honeyed sweetness, warming spice and toasted hazelnut that stay with you.

Specifications

Name: Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III Reclassified 14 year
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 54.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 75% 1st fill bourbon barrels and 25% 1st and 2nd fill Bordeaux red wine casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Whisky of Mass Distinction part III, 25th anniversary
EAN no.: 5055807422185

Flavour profile

Unpeated · Fruity · Nutty · Honeyed · Spicy

Investment potential

Medium. A limited anniversary release in a series collectors already follow, and it sold out quickly at several major retailers.

Did you know?

The real submarine was collected by the Ministry of Defence, but an exact replica still stands in the distillery grounds on Islay today.

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Frequently asked questions about Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III

Is Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III worth buying?

Yes, if you want a 14 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky with a story behind it. It's bottled at 54.2%, non-chill filtered and free of colouring, and the bourbon and Bordeaux cask combination isn't part of Bruichladdich's core range. Quantities are limited, and the series already has a loyal collector following.

Is Yellow Submarine III peated?

No, it's completely unpeated. The Appaloosa barley comes from the Scottish mainland and is malted without peat, which is unusual for Islay. Expect honey, nuts and fruit rather than smoke and seaweed.

Why is the whisky called Yellow Submarine?

It's named after a yellow Ministry of Defence submarine found off Islay's coast in 2005. That same year Bruichladdich released the first Yellow Submarine as a wink at US intelligence, which had suspected the distillery of harbouring weapons of mass destruction. A second edition followed in 2018, and this third one goes back to the 2005 recipe.

What do the Bordeaux red wine casks add?

They bring ripe fruit, toasted nuts and warm spice on top of the honey and vanilla from the bourbon barrels. They make up a quarter of the whisky and replace the Spanish Rioja casks used in the original. That's where the crème brûlée and hazelnut notes come from, without the wine taking over.

How should Yellow Submarine III be served?

Try it neat at room temperature first, in a tulip-shaped whisky glass. At 54.2% it takes a few drops of water well, which lifts the floral and citrus notes. Ice will mute the nutty, honeyed side.

What food pairs with Yellow Submarine III?

Desserts with caramel and nuts are an easy match, such as a hazelnut tart or a crème brûlée. A mild aged hard cheese also works well against the salty edge on the finish.

How is Bruichladdich different from other Islay distilleries?

Most of the island is known for heavy smoke, but Bruichladdich mainly makes unpeated whisky under its own name. The smoky side lives in its sister brands Port Charlotte and Octomore. If you're after the classic peated style, explore our Islay Whisky.