Description

Bruichladdich Octomore 14.3 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 61.4%           Age: 5 Years Old           Country: Scotland           PPM: 214.2ppm

*Limited To One Per Customer

Bruichladdich is living proof that the traditional whisky regions of Scotland make no sense. Please don’t think that labelling a whisky “Islay” has anything to do with taste because the truth is far more complicated and interesting. Built in 1881 when puffer-supplied coal was available as an alternative fuel to local peat, it is likely that Bruichladdich was specifically designed to produce the purest unpeated spirit possible. The great Alfred Barnard supports this view with a tantalising clue – the Laddie is the only distillery on Islay that he does not describe as drying its malt using peat in his fascinating exploration of the island’s distilleries in 1885. Sadly, none of that 19th century spirit survives, but the original Victorian machinery has allowed an unparalleled legacy of craft distilling to trickle down through the generations of men who make this sophisticated Islay dram.

The Octomore series was launched in 2008 and since has been very well received by whisky connoisseurs the world over. The series resembles the start of whisky innovation and creativity for the Bruichladddich distillery. Peating the malted barley for longer periods and creating a whisky from local barley was the challenge. The distillery set out to create the peatiest whisky in the world and have succeeded time and time again. Using different types of oak for maturation and breaking the rules as many times as possible to create a peated whisky like no other.

Distilled in 2017 from 100% Islay grown Concerto barley from Octomore Farm which was harvested in 2016 and malted to 214.2ppm (phenol parts per million). The 14.3 has has been matured in first-fill ex American whisky casks (50%) and second fill wine casks (50%). Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, has expertly coaxed the flavour from the Islay barley in this high-provenance single malt. Matured in a combination of first-fill ex-American whiskey casks and second-fill wine casks, the oak influences but never dominates the grain – capturing the terroir and unique flavour of the Islay barley. Bottled at 61.4% alc/vol, un-chillfiltered with no added colouring.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Fresh malted barley notes, warm and sweet with freshly made shortbread, digestive biscuits, stoned fruits, honey sweetness and butterscotch.

Palate: Oak and peat balance with creamy porridge, sweet toffee and honeycomb, hints of coconut and vanilla.

Finish: Long with barley sugars, salted caramel, creamy vanilla and earthy smoke.