Bruichladdich unveils its 15th Octomore series, including the second most heavily-peated spirit yet

Bruichladdich’s Octomore, the distillery’s annual collection of heavily-peated expressions, finally re-emerges with another triumvirate of 5-year-old single malt Scotch whiskies with the 15th Octomore series. This lineup includes the second most heavily-peated spirit in its category yet, following the 8.3 Octomore with a 309 phenol parts per million (PPM).

The 15th Octomore series maybe too young for a single malt expression, having been matured and bottled only after five years, but it surprises the palate with a complex and enjoyable flavor profile. Of course, the series wouldn’t be complete without three exceptional whiskies, the first being the “backbone” of the lineup, the second being the counterpart of the first expression and the third as the most heavily-peated spirit amongst all of them.

The 15.1 demonstrates the balance of intense smoke, cask type and spirit, underpinning the rest of the Octomore range. It is distilled from 100% Scottish barley and matured in a combination of first fill bourbon barrels and reused and re-charred ex bourbon casks. It is then bottled at 59.1% ABV and malted to 108.2 PPM, creating a raw and uncompromising single malt.

The expression opens to the nose with hints of caramel, vanilla custard and sweet malt, followed by fruity notes of mango, banana and apricot jam to the palate. It is all wrapped up in a blanket of earthy peat smoke.

While it is made from the same barley and also malted at 108.2 PPM, the 15.2 is the complete opposite of the first expression. This is due to the fact that the spirit is matured inside a combination of second fill wine and second fill bourbon casks, then finished in first fill Cognac casks. It has a unique layer of complexity from the trifecta of quality oak and bottled at 57.9% ABV.

A balance of citrus fruit and Octomore’s signature peat smoke opens the nose with the 15.2 spirit. It then coats the palate with smooth vanilla custard and caramel, juxtaposed by a crack of black pepper with a lingering subtle maritime quality to it.

Of course, the 15th Octomore series wouldn’t be complete without the 15.3, the second most heavily-peated spirit in its range with a 307.2 PPM. It is distilled from variable harvests from a single farm in Islay, as well as matured in a combination of first fill bourbon casks and first fill Oloroso hogsheads from Ferando de Castilla, Jerez, Spain.

Bottled at 61.3% ABV, the single malt whisky has an exceptionally smooth texture despite its high strength. At the nose, smoked cinder toffee and rich malted barley sugar are notable, while its smooth texture with hints of dried fruit and sweet orange zest coats the palate. Finishing the experience are the lingering and bursting flavours of Octomore’s peat smoke mixed with the delicate freshness of coconut.

Visit Bruichladdich for more information.

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