Edition 14.1 of Bruichladdich’s Octomore series was made with barley grown on the Scottish mainland and malted to 128.ppm creating a heavily peated single malt. This whisky was matured for five years in first-fill ex-American whiskey casks, imparting aromas of smoked caramel, roasted almonds and barbecue pork on the nose, with bright citrus notes, smoked heather and ground coffee on the palate.
After five aged years in first fill ex-American oak casks, Adam has offered a unique twist in this 13.1, having gathered and recasked the spirit in 2021 into yet more fresh, first fill ex-American oak casks. This final injection of flavour, taken from the interaction between the spirit and the oak offers additional flavours of dark toffee, coconut and vanilla.
Edition 14.3 of Bruichladdich’s Octomore series was made with 100% Concerto Barley from Octomore farm on Islay and matured for five years in first-fill ex-American whiskey casks and second-fill wine casks. This super heavily-peated style from Octomore has given the whisky rich aromas of burnt biscuit, plump apricots and butterscotch on the nose which leads to an earthy smokiness on the palate with notes of peat stacks, honeysuckle and toasted barley.
Octomore 13.3 demonstrates the phenomenal force of flavour when combining super-heavy peat with the variable harvests gathered from the island of Islay, on one singular farm. Raised by friend and farmer James Brown, just two miles south of the distillery, this crop of Concerto barley was distilled in 2016 from the 2015 growing season, has been
patiently coaxed through our Victorian distillery before being filled into first fill ex-American oak casks and second fill European oak casks.
Working with Islay barley is always a privilege. The ability to present it in a single estate, single vintage, single malt is perhaps even more poetic. From year to year, Head Distiller Adam Hannett works with the base spirit bestowed upon him by the grower, together with natural factors; the changing climate and weather system, agronomic yield decided by marauding deer and hungry geese, and the terroir of the field itself.
This particular Octomore Islay barley has been matured in a foundational parcel of first fill ex-American whiskey barrels and a supplementary selection of second fill European oak casks, hailing from the Rivesaltes region of France and the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. This European oak gives more subtle structure to the spirit, while the
American oak allows the spirit to take centre stage. Expect vanilla and brown sugar, counterbalanced
with fresh and round green fruit notes. The smoke is, as ever, gentle and dry, building to a long
finish with hints of creosote and sea spray.
Gin from Bruichladdich, containing 31 botanicals, of which 22 are native to Islay, including Mugwort, Meadow Sweet and the enigmatic Lady's Bedstraw flowers.
Gin from Bruichladdich, containing 31 botanicals, of which 22 are native to Islay, including Mugwort, Meadow Sweet and the enigmatic Lady's Bedstraw flowers.
Gin from Bruichladdich, containing 31 botanicals, of which 22 are native to Islay, including Mugwort, Meadow Sweet and the enigmatic Lady's Bedstraw flowers.
Colour – Pale straw.
Taste – The texture and mouthfeel for a young whisky is a testament to the slow careful distillation and the quality of the Islay-grown barley. Refined and complex on the palate, the sleekness carries the fruit, cereal, and oak notes in succession as the flavours develop and deepen on the palate. The distillery character – the fruit and floral style are immediate and distinctive. The creaminess and the notes of porridge and rice pudding are malty and rich with brown sugar and dry straw. The fruit notes of pear, melon, and orange wrap around toffee and fudge sweetness, combining beautifully.
Nose – Delicate, light, floral notes and a creamy vanilla with rich, floral honey rise from the glass. Kiwi, melon, coconut, and ripe pear freshness combine beautifully into a fruity citrus style to provide that zesty, sweet signature of the Islay grain and the slow trickle distillation. Breathe a little deeper and the hint of spice from the combination of French and American oak gives a little highlight to the fruit. Be lead into the wonderful depth and sweetness, by the toffee and chocolate notes from the oak. With time more dimensions of this whisky are revealed, a dry grass and crushed cereal note. Then that distinctive fresh sea salt tang.
Finish – The finish is a salty sea breeze with lingering hints of the charred oak, sweet salty caramel, and brown sugar. The melon and creamy texture settle on the palate and take you to another place.
Character – The components at work in this dram come together to tell the story of where this whisky is from. It speaks of its place in the world with honesty and openness – Islay Barley, Islay distillation, and Islay maturation. Honesty and pride are at the heart of this dram.
