Octomore 14.1 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Octomore series is an annual release from Bruichladdich distillery of super heavily peated whiskies. The series redefined what peated whisky could be; reaching unheard of levels of PPM (from grain readings), yet still producing fruity, balanced, delicious spirit. It takes its name from John Brown’s Octomore farm, where the barley for each of the .3 releases is grown.

As with all Octomore .1s, the Octomore 13.1 is a super heavily peated 5-year-old made from Scottish barley and matured in 1st-fill ex-Bourbon American oak casks. Distilled in 2017 from a 2016 harvest of 100% Scottish grown Concerto barley. Bottled at 59.6% with a PPM of 128.9.

Official Tasting Notes:

Nose: Smoked vanilla, sweet caramel, and toffee notes open on the nose, with sooty smoke balanced with delicate coconut and flaked almonds. There is an unmistakable earthy smokiness and a hint of citrus, with lemon meringue pie cutting through rich barbeque pork.

Palate: Bright citrus, smoke and a distinct minerality come through on the palate, followed by charred oak and beach bonfire embers. Toffee and creamy vanilla are balanced with earthy smoke, with bright notes of pear, gooseberry fool and green apple simultaneously adding brightness and depth. Roasted coffee, hints of clove and nutmeg begin to come to the fore, with a gentle hint of heather honey.

Finish: Butterscotch and vanilla are balanced with Octomore’s signature earthy peat smoke and hint of salt spray, with burnt heather and gorse flowers settling on the finish.