Following the highly anticipated launch of the 16th annual Octomore series, Bruichladdich Distillery has added to this year’s super-heavily peated offering with Octomore 16.4.
Completing the latest Octomore 16 Series, the five-year-old spirit has been distilled from 100% Islay Concerto barley and malted to 189.5 PPM, spending its entire maturation life on Islay.
Octomore 16.4 joins the most recent trio of Octomore single malt whiskies; 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3. Once again, the experimental series pushes the boundaries of whisky making, taking a closer look at the intense power of peat as well as the profound influence of cask maturation and locally grown malting barley.
Shaped by the unique terroir of its island home, the distillery exclusive has been patiently matured on the shores of Lochindaal. A base of Octomore spirit has been aged in second-fill bourbon casks for three years, before being recasked into French Virgin Oak casks with medium and medium+ toasting levels for around two years before bottling.
“Octomore 16.4 showcases the dynamic tension and ultimate harmony achieved between French virgin oak and heavily peated malt, expertly distilled. French virgin oak adds maturity beyond this single malt’s five years” said Adam Hannett, Master Blender at Bruichladdich Distillery.
Intense smoke is immediate on the nose, giving way to cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. The scent evokes baked apples and pears drizzled with honey. Peat remains a constant and powerful presence, winding its way through the oak and spice. On the palate, toasted oak, roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, and a hint of sweet smoke. Stewed apples and pears balance the oak’s richness. The finish is exceptionally long with sweet, toasted wood, baking spices, and a whisper of smoke. A final hint of fruit and a touch of sea-salt settle on the palate.
“For the 16.4 edition, we experiment with the influence of French virgin oak, with casks coming from a fine cooperage in Cognac. Virgin oak provides a powerful influence over the spirit, with the medium and medium plus toasting levels creating wonderful flavour compounds that compliment Octomore perfectly,” continued Adam Hannett.
“It has the power to impart rich, caramelised sweetness which, alongside Octomore’s signature dry smoky profile, proves an irresistible combination. For the first time, we’ve taken our experimentation even further on our 16.4 edition, using 100% Islay grown concerto barley. This adds a subtle, earthy undercurrent akin to the scent of rain-soaked earth.”
Octomore 16.4 is priced at £175.00 and is a Bruichladdich Distillery exclusive. It is available to purchase online at bruichladdich.com and in person at the distillery Visitor Centre on Islay.
The complete Octomore 16 Series, including 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3, is also available to purchase online at bruichladdich.com and in specialist whisky retailers worldwide. Prices for the series start from £140.00.
