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Bruichladdich Distillery unveiled the 14th annual series of Octomore, its super-heavily peated single malt earlier this month, so those bottles should be on or near local shelves by now. First released in 2008, Octomore single malts continue to defy whisky wisdom today. Matured for five years, bottled close to cask strength and always super-heavily peated, Octomore’s surprising elegance has led the distillery to define it as “The Impossible Equation”.
Octomore 14.1 is the backbone of the series and offers a necessary 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, with this subtle oak influence allowing the raw character of the spirit to come through. 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 crucial difference is cask type, with the 14.2 matured in a combination of Oloroso and Amarone casks. Octomore’s inimitable peat smoke pairs notoriously well with sherry, with the influence of the Oloroso casks adding a robust, savory flavor to the final spirit. 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 demonstrates the extraordinary force of flavor 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 profound 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. Transporting drinkers to the Bruichladdich Distillery courtyard, 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: “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.
