Today, Bruichladdich Distillery has launched its next Octomore series, Octomore 15. The annual release of the coveted, super-heavily peated single malt Scotch whisky continues to defy conventional whisky wisdom with the second most heavily-peated Octomore spirit to date, coming in at 307.2 phenol parts per million (PPM) with Octomore 15.3. This series explores barley provenance, cask type and varying peat levels in pursuit of remarkable, unexpected flavor.
Self-proclaimed as the ‘Impossible Equation,’ the Octomore series has pushed the boundaries of whisky making since 2008. With the new release of Octomore 15, the experimental trio of bottlings have each matured for five years in different barrels and casks, offering a variety of different taste profiles to whisky drinkers alike.
“Octomore is an experiment,” says Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, “it is purposely designed to spark intrigue and prove the unimaginable. Based on liquid profile alone this should be a one dimensional, overly-peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky with no depth – but we’ve created the opposite.”
“This is a whisky which is layered and complex, there’s nothing else like it. Creating a brand new Octomore series each year is a welcomed challenge. It is a moment to pause, reflect, question, and push our boundaries of whisky making. Who knows what will come next.”
Octomore 15.1
Lifting the curtain on the latest series is Octomore 15.1 considered the ‘backbone’ of the experiment, 15.1 demonstrates the intricate balance of intense smoke, cask type and spirit which underpins the rest of the Octomore range. In line with the B Corp distillery’s sustainable credentials, the spirit has matured in a combination of first fill bourbon barrels and reused and re-charred ex bourbon casks – mindfully breathing new life into these casks and extracting as much character from the wood as possible.
Distilled from 100% Scottish barley, bottled at 59.1% ABV, and malted to 108.2 PPM, Octomore 15.1 is a raw and uncompromising single malt. Caramel, vanilla custard, and sweet malt are immediate on the nose, followed by a medley of mango, banana, and apricot jam on the palate – all wrapped in a blanket of earthy peat smoke.
Octomore 15.2
Octomore 15.2 invites an intriguing comparison to its 15.1 counterpart, laying bare the profound effect cask type has on the final liquid. Distilled from the same batch of Scottish grown barley and malted to 108.2 PPM, the 15.2 is matured in a specific combination of second fill wine and second fill bourbon casks, before being finished in first fill Cognac casks. This unique trifecta of quality oak adds layers of complexity.
Bottled at 57.9% ABV, citrus fruits balance Octomore’s signature peat smoke on the nose, with smooth vanilla custard and caramel coating the palate. A crack of black pepper juxtaposes the viscous sweetness, while a subtle maritime quality lingers.
Octomore 15.3
The 15th series signifies another landmark moment in Octomore history, with the 15.3 coming in at a stratospheric 307.2 PPM. Distilled using locally grown barley and bottled at cask strength the latest release is second to the renowned Octomore 8.3 in terms of extreme phenol content – with the 8.3 believed to be the most heavily-peated spirit in the world to date at 309 PPM.
“Our Islay barley works exceptionally well with high phenol levels, and Octomore 15.3 balances intense peat smoke with our cereal forward, malt-sugar spirit,” continues Hannett. “Contrary to popular belief, we’re not looking to intentionally create the most super-heavily peated single malt whisky in the world, but rather create an extraordinary dram which demonstrates the perfect alchemy of peat, maturation, barley varietal and cask type. And that’s Octomore 15.3 for me.”
Octomore 15.3 completes the experimental trio, with the heavy-weight PPM bringing a strong force of flavor. As well as formidable peat levels, the 15.3 has been distilled from variable harvests from a single farm on Islay, showcasing incomparable flavor, provenance, and traceability. Grown and harvested on the eponymous Octomore Farm, less than two miles from the distillery, Octomore 15.3 has matured in a combination of first fill bourbon casks and first fill Oloroso hogsheads from Ferando de Castilla, Jerez, Spain.
Bottled at 61.3%, Octomore 15.3 is high strength but exceptionally soft in texture. Smoked cinder toffee and rich malted barley sugar are notable on the nose, with the spirit’s smooth character punctuated with dried fruit and sweet orange zest. Octomore’s inimitable peat smoke settles on the finish, with coconut adding a delicate freshness.
Each Octomore single malt Scotch whisky has been conceived, distilled, matured, and bottled only on Islay. The spirit is un-chill filtered and contains no added color.
The complete Octomore 15 series, including 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3, is available to purchase online at bruichladdich.com and in specialist whisky retailers.
