Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 56.8%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Port, ex-Cognac, ex-Bourbon, Virgin
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Bruichladdich (Rèmy Cointreau)
Average price: € 180.00
Official website: www.bruichladdich.com
Vote: 90/100
The Octomore series, I have to say, is a little bit dear to my heart, either because I love peat, or because it has a reputation of being almost undrinkable by some, while personally I find it (almost) always very balanced.
Having always had to do with fairly young bottlings, finding myself with a ten year old in my hands, I admit, creates a certain expectation, which I hope will not be disappointed.
Distilled in 2008 from barley harvested the previous year, the result of blending many casks, as always all declared as is Bruichladdich policy, namely:
Whisky aged for ten years in ex-Port casks first fill (37%), Cognac first fill (31%), American whiskey second fill (20%);
Addition of whisky aged three years in ex-American whiskey first fill, then two years in virgin casks and finally six years in American casks (12%).
All as always natural and cask strength, bottled in 12,000 pieces.
Tasting notes
Full gold in the glass.
As is always the case with Octomore, the peat on the nose is anything but aggressive, becoming a pungent bonfire tone with marked marine accents, from which emerge soft sweetnesses of fruit (quince, orange, wild strawberries), vanilla and cereal biscuits. Spicy brushstrokes of cloves and nutmeg on tobacco and pine needles, which give a very pleasant hint of freshness. Incisive and rich.
Freshness that is repeated in a warm and enveloping palate, as a background that lengthens at the end of each sip, completing an even richer ensemble of rhubarb, anise, orange marmalade, apple, apricot, cooked cream and tamarind. Leather and tobacco underpin the flavours, with fiery peat embracing and pampering the mouth. Crisp and burning at the same time.
Long finish of toasted wood, candied orange, pine needles, vanilla shortbread.
A worthy representative of the series, with a richness and variety of colours and sensations that warms the soul and entertains, a full and comprehensive experience of what can be done with peat if handled with skill and care, aided by time which, once again, is an essential ingredient.