Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 54.9%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon, ex-Wine, ex-Sherry, new
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Bruichladdich (Rèmy Cointreau)
Average price: € 350.00
Official website: www.bruichladdich.com
On the occasion of Rock’ndaal 2025, the day Bruichladdich dedicates to Fèis Ìle, the oldest Octomore ever was released, aged for fifteen years, as always not declared on the label but indicated in the usual detailed bottling notes, in 2,500 bottles.
This Polyphonic is reminiscent of Octomore Black Art (OBA), released in 2017 exclusively for the distillery and the result of the combination of several single casks characterised by high, undeclared peatiness, just like this Polyphonic, which brings together types of casks from previous editions of Octomore and others never used before:
– Single cask ex-Grenache (red wine) first fill, at 167.6 ppm (unreleased)
– Single cask ex-bourbon barrel first fill, from the first distillation of barley from Octomore Farm, at 173.8 ppm (already seen in the first Rock’ndaal of 2022)
– Single cask ex-Sauternes first fill, at 208 ppm (unreleased)
– Ex-bourbon and ex-Syrah casks, used for Octomore 6.3, subsequently matured in ex-bourbon second fill barrels, at 258 ppm
– Various ex-wine casks matured in ex-Amarone first-fill casks for one year for Octomore Masterclass 8.2, then matured in ex-bourbon refill casks, at 167.4 ppm
– New casks used for Octomore Masterclass 8.4, at 170 ppm
– Ex-oloroso sherry and PX casks used for Octomore Event Orizon at Fèis Ìle 2017, at 162.6 ppm
A rich and complex recipe, who knows if greater than the sum of its parts!
The bottle features a retro 1980s-style image of Octomore Farm, reminiscent of the graphics used on music albums and video games of the era.
Tasting Notes
Sweetness and citrus fruits infused with smoke on the nose, with intertwining notes of marzipan, toffee, smoked fresh cheese, chestnut honey, chinotto and candied orange peel, with peat delicately embracing the aromas with burning charcoal and a slight hint of iodine. Secondly, sweet liquorice, black cherries, ripe figs, nutmeg, leather and BBQ sauce. Honeysuckle. Complex and harmonious.
The spices are more evident on the palate, including nutmeg, black pepper, cloves, a hint of ginger and aniseed, with a soft and silky entry that brings citrus fruits (orange, lime) to the fore, accompanied by tropical fruits (pineapple, mango, ripe kiwi) and white fruits (peach, dried apricot, crisp apple). Peat between sea and land, where coastal impressions bathe the hot coals of the barbecue, while the pastry part takes a back seat with shortcrust pastry, Catalan cream, marzipan and toasted meringue. Liquorice, more intense and darker than on the nose. Iodine and mineral notes grow in length…
…leading to a long, citrusy finish of spices, liquorice, ripe fruit and lots and lots of salt.
Review: The Octomore series always gives me great satisfaction, marketing gimmicks aside, and this version to the nth degree satisfies me… well, to the nth degree! Full-bodied, rich, elegant and easy to drink, if it weren’t for the cost, I would drink it by the litre!
Vote: 90/100