Bruichladdich have done it again, bringing the world’s heaviest peated single malt through Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley. They’ve dubbed it as the “Octomore of Octomore” and we’re told that this experimental dram is sadly the last that retired Master Distiller Jim McEwan has been involved in.
This whisky is an expression of Islay and is made from 100% Islay barley sown in 2008 in the Lorgba field on the Octomore Farm. As with all Bruichladdich whiskies, Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley is produced by trickle distillation, is non-chill filtered and colouring free.
The single malt has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 5 years and unlike the 6.1 with its mean black packaging, Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley comes in a clear bottle inside a white tube. But let’s not judge appearances.
Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley Tasting Notes
- Country of Origin: Islay, Scotland
- ABV: 64%
- Age: 5 years
- Peat: 258 ppm
- Colour: bright amber/pale gold
- Nose: initial intense peat and more seductive peat fill the nostrils, smoky bacon just before it starts to burn, honey sweetness, vanilla, white pepper
- Palate: big and bold, explosive bonfire in the mouth, oily mouth feel, some brine and ash, honeyed notes
- Finish: extra long, dry, oaky, lingers for so long that time stops
Comments: What always impresses me about the Octomore expressions is the way the drams are not just about peat and smoke for the sake of it, but linger with complex flavours that keep on giving. Octomore 6.3 brings an explosion of peat to the palate as it begins to taper off, it starts all over again. Back in 2014 when I interviewed Jim McEwan, he asked me what I thought of Octomore 6.1. I told him it gave me a “mouthgasm”. Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley heads into multiple mouthgasm territory.
