Octomore Edition 14.3 5 Year Old | The Impossible Equation

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 61.4%

The release of each Octomore is always an event. This is Octomore 14.3 5-year-old, which appeared towards the end of 2023 and is one of the more heavily-peated Octomores that Bruichladdich have released, weighing in at an astonishing 214.2ppm.

Octomore 14.3 was distilled in 2017 from 100% Islay barley - the Concerto strain, to be precise - grown on Octomore farm and harvested in 2016. This super-smokebomb was matured 50% in first fill ex-American whisky casks and 50% in second fill wine casks and has been bottled without colouring or chill filtration at its titanic natural cask strength of 61.4%. Not for the fainthearted.

Attributes

Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Pure Gold

Nose: Transporting you to the Bruichladdich Distillery courtyard, the aromas of hot, sweet mash are unmistakable on the nose. This soft, biscuity malt is followed by peat smoke and an assortment of sweet, stoned fruits, with ripe apricots, peach and honey-drizzled pears. Candied lemon peels add a hint of citrus, balanced with butterscotch, honeycomb, chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

Palate: Delicate oak notes immediately come through, followed by the presence of smouldering peat. Floral hints of gorse and honeysuckle rise above the malty Islay-grown barley, which is rich and sweet with creamy porridge and cereal notes. The structure of the French oak, together with the sweet vanilla and toffee of the American oak, combine beautifully, bringing a harmonious balance to the palate.

Finish: Malted barley and earthy smoke dominate, followed by lingering notes of sweet barley sugar. Caramel and vanilla add a final touch of rounded sweetness.