Description

Bruichladdich Octomore 16.3 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 61.6%           Age: 5 Years Old           Country: Scotland           PPM:189.5 ppm

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.

The Terroir Expression: Octomore 16.3 – Islay Barley: The Octomore 16.3 Edition holds a unique place in the series as the “Terroir” expression. This bottling is distilled exclusively from 100% Islay grown barley harvested from farmer James Brown’s Octomore Farm, right above the distillery. This focus on local barley is designed to capture the specific influence of Islay’s soil and climate on the final spirit.

Matured for five years, the 16.3 has a significantly higher peat level than its siblings in the series, measuring a formidable 189.5 PPM (Parts Per Million). The maturation recipe is split between 75% Second Fill ex-Bourbon Whisky Casks and 25% First Fill European Oak ex-Sherry Butts. The higher proportion of second fill casks allows the unique, earthy, and mineral rich character of the Islay barley to shine through, rather than being overpowered by the wood.

Bottled at a potent 61.6% alc/vol and presented non-chill filtered and at natural colour, the 16.3 is the purest and most powerful reflection of Islay’s identity.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Deeply earthy and phenolic. Immediate notes of damp earth, ozone, and sea spray alongside a dense, dry peat smoke. Subtle hints of dried apricot and brown sugar from the sherry casks emerge.

Palate: Extremely powerful and rich. Starts with a creamy, mineral texture that delivers intense wood smoke, lemon oil, salted almonds, and a touch of dark fruit, underpinned by the high ABV intensity.

Finish: Immense and powerful. A lasting dry smoke dominates, evolving into notes of charcoal, salt, and black pepper.