Bruichladdich Releases Third Yellow Submarine Whisky, a 14-Year-Old Single Malt

Bruichladdich has launched Yellow Submarine III, the third edition in its series inspired by a Cold War-era mix-up where the Pentagon monitored the distillery's webcams, mistaking whisky distillation for chemical weapons production. The 14-year-old single malt is bottled at 54.2% ABV, un-chill filtered, with no added color. It was matured entirely on Islay in 75% first-fill bourbon barrels and 25% first and second-fill French red wine casks. Master blender Adam Hannett described notes of honeyed oats, buttery shortbread, nutmeg, hazelnut, and ginger. The whisky is available from today at SRP $135 via the distillery's website and select US retailers. The series began in 2004 with Whisky of Mass Distinction, followed by Yellow Submarine (2005, 14yo) and Yellow Submarine II: The Legend Resurfaces (2018, 25yo). The submarine motif references a real yellow remote-operated minesweeper discovered off Islay in 2005, owned by the Royal Navy's Ministry of Defence. Bruichladdich acquired a replica in 2018, now displayed onsite. The article is by Jonah Flicker, Robb Report's whiskey critic.