Bruichladdich has teamed up with legendary Scottish nightlife institution Sub Club to celebrate the return of one of its most iconic whiskies, Yellow Submarine, as part of the progressive Hebridean distillery’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
Dubbed The Yellow Sub Club, the collaboration marked the launch of Yellow Submarine III, a limited-edition release at the heart of the anniversary programme. Designed to celebrate the spirit of experimentation, creativity and progress that has defined Bruichladdich since its revival in 2001, the campaign brought together two distinctly independent Scottish brands.
Created in partnership with Glasgow-based creative agency Story Shop, the concept saw award-winning pub The Islay Inn transformed into a one-night-only pop-up version of the famed Sub Club. The activation provided a fitting stage to reintroduce one of Bruichladdich’s most beloved whiskies, while engaging a new generation of drinkers through music, culture and immersive experience.
Working closely with Sub Club owner Mike Grieve and his team, Bruichladdich sought to capture the energy and irreverence that made the original Yellow Submarine releases so memorable. The Islay Inn was chosen for its deep-rooted connection to Glasgow’s island community and its popularity among Islay ex-pats.
For one night, the venue was completely reimagined, featuring bespoke Sub Club signage, branded glassware, a purpose-built DJ booth and nightclub entry stamps. Sub Club regular and Scottish DJ Hayley Zalassi provided the soundtrack, as guests enjoyed Yellow Submarine cocktails and drams in a setting that echoed the unmistakable aesthetic of the iconic nightclub.
The transformation extended throughout the venue, with yellow exterior lighting, Sub Club-inspired posters and a nautical-themed menu. Dishes including oysters from The Shuckle Brothers, alongside prawns, squid and chips, paid tribute to the whisky’s island origins.
Douglas Taylor, CEO of Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “Yellow Submarine has always represented a fun and irreverent chapter in Bruichladdich’s story. As we looked to bring it back as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, we wanted to do more than relaunch a whisky. We wanted to celebrate the creativity, curiosity and power of genuine partnership that helped shape Bruichladdich into the brand it is today.
“The collaboration with Sub Club allowed us to do exactly that. There was an obvious connection through the name, but beyond that we share a belief in creating experiences that people genuinely want to be part of. This was about bringing a story back to life and creating a cultural moment that captured the spirit of Yellow Submarine for a new generation.”
Mike Grieve of Sub Club added: “The idea immediately appealed to us because it was fun, unexpected and completely born out of the way Bruichladdich approaches whisky. The distillery has built a reputation for doing things differently and creating products with real personality, so bringing the Sub Club experience to The Islay Inn felt like a natural fit. And let’s be honest, the name was too good to ignore.”
Yellow Submarine III forms part of a wider series of special releases marking 25 years since Bruichladdich’s revival, paying tribute to one of the most distinctive whiskies from the distillery’s modern era.
The whisky’s origins are as unusual as its name. Inspired by a yellow Ministry of Defence submarine discovered by fishermen off the coast of Islay during the distillery’s early years, the original Yellow Submarine bottlings became emblematic of Bruichladdich’s creativity and irreverence. A decommissioned example of the submarine still remains on display at the distillery today.
Master Blender Adam Hannett was also present at the event to mark the whisky’s return, which forms part of a broader storytelling campaign exploring the curious origins of Yellow Submarine alongside product-focused activity for enthusiasts and collectors.
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Founded in 1987 in a former Victorian bathhouse basement on Jamaica Street, Sub Club has grown into one of the world’s most respected electronic music venues, with a reputation that extends far beyond Glasgow.
For more information, visit www.bruichladdich.com.
