Description

What happens when you take Octomore, the world’s most heavily peated whisky, and let it mature in Limousin oak from Acquitaine that once held one of the world’s great eaux de vie? Magic.

This latest bottling from master distiller Jim McEwan’s alchemical lair brings together the grace, elegance and complexity for which Octomore spirit has become synonymous and marries it with some of the finest oak in the world, producing an unctuous spirit of sublime mouthfeel and equipoise, rich and assertive with an understated power that befits its Islay pedigree.

A limited edition in the award-winning cult Octomore series this is a staggering 167ppm and is bottled at cask strength.

TASTING NOTES

character – Rich and assertive with an understated power that befits its Islay pedigree. Medium weighted and beautifully balanced with an amazing texture. How can one so young and so heavily peated be this smooth? The answer is craftsmanship, virtuosity and plenty of Hebridean passion.

Colour – Gilded gold/ citrine lemon

NOSE – The opening is a fusion of peat smoke and sea breezes with just a hint of iodine followed by juniper, pine, aniseed and cinnamon – so distinctively octomore. As the spirit breathes notes of blueberries, brambles, cherries, burnt orange and bitter chocolate thrum to the strong pulse of Islay. Inhale more deeply and you will discover the soft brown sugar from the bourbon casks harmonising with the succulent fruits from distillation – melon and guava with a twist of lemon and honey. It arouses the senses, quickens the heart and elevates the soul.

PALATE – The palate is strong, smokey and sweet and considering the notably high strength, the flavour of both Islay and cognac are clearly directed. It’s deceptive. At first the powerful, marine phenolic notes are predominant, however as the palate responds and adjusts it all comes together capturing the ruggedness of its place of origin and the mellowness of a grande champagne cognac.

FINISH – All of our casks are matured by the atlantic and as they breathe in, the marine influenced flavours of honey and lemon are imparted into the spirit, and it is these notes layered with a gentle peat drift that will remain with you as you are spiritually transported to the coast of heaven.

MOOD – Inspirational. This is your “bridge over troubled water” regardless of what the world throws at you this young Ileach will be there to uplift and inspire.