Bruichladdich has unveiled the 14th annual series of Octomore. First released in 2008, Octomore single malts are matured for five years, bottled close to cask strength and always super-heavily peated.
Octomore 14.1 is the backbone of the series and offers a comparison from which the other expressions alternate. Distilled from 100% Scottish barley and malted to 128.9 PPM, the single malt has spent its maturation life in first fill ex American whiskey casks. Official tasting notes indicate it is “showcasing the intricate balance between smoke, cask and spirit, notes of vanilla and sweet caramel are immediate on the nose, with hints of citrus cutting through Octomore’s signature peat smoke.”
Like 14.1, Octomore 14.2 is also distilled from 100% Scottish barley and malted to the same 128.9 PPM. The difference is cask type, with the 14.2 matured in a combination of Oloroso and Amarone casks. Tasting notes for this one indicate “the result is a complex single malt with notes of red currents, rich fruit cake and roasted coffee, wrapped in smouldering peat smoke.”
Completing the collection, Octomore 14.3 is described as “demonstrates the extraordinary force of flavour when combining super-heavy peat with the variable harvests gathered from Octomore’s island home, Islay.” Distilled using only locally grown barley to explore the influence of terroir on final flavour, the 14.3 spirit has matured in a combination of bourbon casks and second fill wine casks and malted to a heavy weight 214.2 PPM. Tasting notes make mention of “aromas of hot, sweet mash are unmistakable on the nose, with the barley forward single malt complemented with notes of sweet vanilla, toffee and delicate earthy smoke.”
Speaking of the latest Octomore series, Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, said in a prepared statement: “Everything we do at Bruichladdich Distillery is about exploring the fundamentals of whisky making – considering how and where our raw ingredient is grown, understanding the influence of terroir and experimenting with a variety of casks.
“These fundamentals are inherent to each Octomore series, and the latest collection is no different. Each of the 14s has its own distinct character while staying true to the Octomore DNA, and this series showcases what can be achieved when we consider every element which contributes to the depth, balance and complexity of each drop of whisky.”
The complete Octomore 14 series, including the 14.1, 14.2 and 14.3, is available online at bruichladdich.com and in special whisky retailers. Prices start from $219.99.
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