Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled the details of its 15th annual Octomore series, a collection of three heavily peated single malt Scotch whiskies that seek to push the boundaries of the category. Head Distiller Adam Hannett describes the project as “an experiment.
“This is a whisky which is layered and complex, there’s nothing else like it,” he continued.
“It is purposely designed to spark intrigue and prove the unimaginable. Based on liquid profile alone this should be a one dimensional, overly-peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky with no depth – but we’ve created the opposite.”
This year’s Octomore series release also marks another milestone moment in the brand’s history, with Octomore 15.3 featuring 307.2 phenol parts per million, making it the second most peated spirit in the world to date behind only Octomore 8.3, which feature 309 PPM.
“Our Islay barley works exceptionally well with high phenol levels, and Octomore 15.3 balances intense peat smoke with our cereal forward, malt-sugar spirit”, said Hannett.
“The goal is never to intentionally create the most super-heavily peated single malt whisky in the world, but rather an extraordinary dram which demonstrates the perfect alchemy of peat, maturation, barley varietal and cask type. And that’s Octomore 15.3 for me.”
Distilled from variable harvests from the Octomore Farm less than two miles from the distillery, Octomore 15.3 was then matured for five years in a combination of first fill bourbon casks and first fill Oloroso hogsheads from Ferando de Castilla, a Spanish sherry producer. It was then bottled at 61.3%.
Octomore 15.1 - described as the backbone of the experiment - was aged in first-fill bourbon barrels and reused/re-charred ex-bourbon casks, malted to 108.2 PPM, and bottled at 59.1% abv.
The final whisky in the new collection, Octomore 15.2 is designed to shine a light on the profound influence that cask type has on the final whisky. Distilled from the same batch of Scottish-grown barley as 15.1 and also malted to 108.2 PPM, the middle whisky in the 15th Octomore series uses a specific combination of second fill wine and second fill bourbon casks, with the spirit finished in first fill Cognac casks. Octomore 15.2 is bottled at an abv of 57.9%.
Adam Hannett said, “Creating a brand new Octomore series each year which is unique and distinct is a welcomed challenge. It is a moment to pause, reflect, question, and keep pushing. Who knows what will come next.”
The three new Octomore releases are now available to purchase via Bruichladdich’s online store at the following prices:
Octomore 15.1: £140.00 (approx $270)
Octomore 15.2: £155.00 (approx $300)
Octomore 15.3: £195.00 (approx $375)
News regarding Australian distribution - via distributor Spirits Platform - is expected to be made available shortly.
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Bruichladdich Distillery describes the three whiskies as follows:
Octomore 15.1
Octomore 15.1 is a raw and uncompromising single malt. Caramel, vanilla custard and sweet malt are immediate on the nose, followed by a medley of mango, banana, and apricot jam on the palate – all wrapped in a blanket of earthy peat smoke.
Octomore 15.2
Citrus fruits balance Octomore’s signature peat smoke on the nose, with smooth vanilla custard and caramel coating the palate. A crack of black pepper juxtaposes the viscous sweetness, while a subtle maritime quality lingers.
Octomore 15.3
The single malt whisky is high strength but exceptionally soft in texture. Smoked cinder toffee and rich malted barley sugar are notable on the nose, with the spirit’s smooth character punctuated with dried fruit and sweet orange zest. Octomore’s inimitable peat smoke settles on the finish, with coconut adding a delicate freshness.
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