Islay-based distillery Bruichladdich hopes to enrapture peat freaks with the launch of its Octomore 15 Series, a trio of super smoky whiskies. The collection has been matured for five years, and explores the nuances of barley provenance and cask types, with escalating peat levels.
Head Distiller Adam Hannett describes Octomore as an “experiment” designed to go beyond conventional boundaries. “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,” says Hannett.
The Octomore 15.1, Octomore 15.2, and Octomore 15.3 expressions each embody Bruichladdich’s dedication to showcasing how variations in peat, cask, and barley affect the spirit’s final character.
Head Distiller Adam Hannett describes Octomore as an “experiment” designed to go beyond conventional boundaries…
Octomore Edition 15.1 (£140)
Bottled at 59.1% ABV, with a PPM of 108.2, the foundational 15.1 has been matured in a mix of first-fill bourbon barrels (72%) and re-charred ex-bourbon casks (28%). Official tasting notes report an intricate layering of peat smoke and malt sweetness.
On the nose, expect caramel, vanilla custard, and citrus. On the palate, the intense peat smoke balances with charred oak and sweet malt, finishing with a crisp marine edge.
Octomore Edition 15.2 (£155)
The Octomore 15.2 is distilled from the same batch of Scottish grown barley, but takes the experiment further, to better showcase the impact of its unique cask composition, specifically second-fill wine casks (42%), second-fill bourbon casks (58%), finished in first-fill Cognac casks.
Bottled at 57.9% ABV, with a PPM of 108.2, this whisky offers aromas of citrus, lime zest, and lemons on the nose, balanced by an undercurrent of smoke. On the palate there’s vanilla custard and caramel, with pepper and cinnamon to add depth.
Octomore Edition 15.3 (£195)
The most heavily peated of the trio, Octomore 15.3 has been distilled from variable harvests from a single farm on Islay. With a high ABV of 61.3%, and a PPM of 307.2 (reportedly the second-highest phenol content in Octomore’s history), the liquid has enjoyed maturation in first-fill bourbon casks (69%) and first-fill Oloroso hogsheads from Jerez (31%).
Tasting notes refer to smoked cinder toffee and rich malted barley sugar on the nose, opening to butterscotch and creamy vanilla on the palate. Peat smoke lingers on the finish, mingling with burnt sugar and a hint of sea spray.
The Octomore 15 Series is available at The Whisky Exchange and other select whisky retailers.
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
The Luxe Review 
Islay-based distillery Bruichladdich hopes to enrapture peat freaks with the launch of its Octomore 15 Series, a trio of super smoky whiskies. The collection has been matured for five years, and explores the nuances of barley provenance and cask types, with escalating peat levels.
Head Distiller Adam Hannett describes Octomore as an “experiment” designed to go beyond conventional boundaries. “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,” says Hannett.
The Octomore 15.1, Octomore 15.2, and Octomore 15.3 expressions each embody Bruichladdich’s dedication to showcasing how variations in peat, cask, and barley affect the spirit’s final character.
Octomore Edition 15.1 (£140)
Bottled at 59.1% ABV, with a PPM of 108.2, the foundational 15.1 has been matured in a mix of first-fill bourbon barrels (72%) and re-charred ex-bourbon casks (28%). Official tasting notes report an intricate layering of peat smoke and malt sweetness.
On the nose, expect caramel, vanilla custard, and citrus. On the palate, the intense peat smoke balances with charred oak and sweet malt, finishing with a crisp marine edge.
Octomore Edition 15.2 (£155)
The Octomore 15.2 is distilled from the same batch of Scottish grown barley, but takes the experiment further, to better showcase the impact of its unique cask composition, specifically second-fill wine casks (42%), second-fill bourbon casks (58%), finished in first-fill Cognac casks.
Bottled at 57.9% ABV, with a PPM of 108.2, this whisky offers aromas of citrus, lime zest, and lemons on the nose, balanced by an undercurrent of smoke. On the palate there’s vanilla custard and caramel, with pepper and cinnamon to add depth.
Octomore Edition 15.3 (£195)
The most heavily peated of the trio, Octomore 15.3 has been distilled from variable harvests from a single farm on Islay. With a high ABV of 61.3%, and a PPM of 307.2 (reportedly the second-highest phenol content in Octomore’s history), the liquid has enjoyed maturation in first-fill bourbon casks (69%) and first-fill Oloroso hogsheads from Jerez (31%).
Tasting notes refer to smoked cinder toffee and rich malted barley sugar on the nose, opening to butterscotch and creamy vanilla on the palate. Peat smoke lingers on the finish, mingling with burnt sugar and a hint of sea spray.
The Octomore 15 Series is available at The Whisky Exchange and other select whisky retailers.
Mexican spirits culture celebrated as Tequila & Mezcal Show returns to London
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
Kingsbarns Distillery launches limited edition single malt inspired by St Andrews 19th hole
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Hackstons acquires rare collection of Unicorn whiskies from Van Winkle, Weller and Buffalo Trace
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
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