Some whisky releases are all about age statements and cask pedigrees. Others come with a story so wonderfully odd that you can’t help but smile. Bruichladdich’s new Yellow Submarine III manages to deliver both.

The Islay distillery is celebrating 25 years since its modern resurrection by bringing back one of its most beloved and quirky bottlings, Yellow Submarine. For longtime Bruichladdich fans, it’s a welcome return. For newcomers, it’s a chance to own a piece of one of the most entertaining chapters in whisky lore.

The story behind Yellow Submarine is almost as memorable as the whisky itself. Back in the early 2000s, U.S. Military Intelligence mistakenly identified Bruichladdich as a potential site for weapons of mass destruction. Rather than take offense, the famously irreverent distillery leaned into the absurdity, creating its tongue-in-cheek “Whisky of Mass Distinction” series. Around the same time, a wayward Ministry of Defence submarine was discovered off Islay’s coast, inspiring the bright yellow submarine replica that still sits proudly on the distillery grounds today.

Now, Yellow Submarine III resurfaces as the latest installment in the cult series, following the original 2005 release and the 2018 follow-up, Yellow Submarine II: The Legend Resurfaces.

Fortunately, the whisky itself is every bit as interesting as the backstory.

This limited-edition release is a 14-year-old unpeated single malt distilled from 100% Scottish barley and matured entirely on Islay. Master Blender Adam Hannett crafted the whisky using a recipe inspired by the original bottling, with 75 percent first-fill bourbon barrels and 25 percent first- and second-fill French red wine casks.

The bourbon barrels bring classic notes of vanilla, honey, and creamy sweetness, while the wine casks layer in spice, fruit, and structure. According to Hannett, drinkers can expect aromas of honeyed oats, buttery shortbread, nutmeg, hazelnut, and gentle ginger spice. On the palate, flavors of orange zest, honeysuckle, apple, and pear mingle with rich crème brûlée notes before a touch of sea salt reminds you that this whisky was matured on the shores of Islay.

Bottled at a robust 54.2% ABV, Yellow Submarine III is un-chill filtered and contains no added color, allowing the spirit to shine exactly as intended.

“The Yellow Submarine series captures the spirit of Bruichladdich in its early years,” said Gareth Brown, the distillery’s Global Marketing Director. “Inventive, a bit rebellious and always up for a good story.”

That spirit is exactly what makes this release so appealing. In a whisky world that can sometimes take itself a little too seriously, Bruichladdich continues to prove that great whisky and a sense of humor can coexist beautifully.

Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine III is available beginning June 1st through Bruichladdich’s U.S. website and select specialty whisky retailers nationwide. With a suggested retail price of $134.99, it offers collectors and fans alike a chance to dive back into one of the distillery’s most entertaining traditions.

And honestly, how many whiskies can say they were inspired by both a military intelligence mix-up and a bright yellow submarine?