Bruichladdich "Octomore" Edition 15.3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(Islay, Scotland) - [WA 94]

Notes from the Distillery:
A phenomenal force of flavor and an Octomore bursting with character, the 15.3 brings together heavy-weight peating levels with variable harvests from one singular farm on Islay. Less than two miles from our distillery, the malting barley grown at Octomore Farm brings cereal forward sweetness and burnt sugar, while the casks provide notes of creamy vanilla and citrus fruits. A symphony of flavor wrapped in earthy, intense peat smoke — this is Octomore at a whole new level.

Octomore 15.3 brings together heavy-weight peating (the second most peated Octomore release ever) and barley provenance from one single farm on Islay, Octomore farm.

Complex, robust and bursting with character – the smoke is countered by the malty sweetness imparted by the Islay grown barley and the hallmark sea salt tang.

Specifications:

Tasting Notes

Color: Golden Syrup

Nose: Smoked cinder toffee, rich malted Islay barley sugar and honey come to the fore, balanced with fresh citrus. Dried fruit and crushed seashells mingle with Octomore’s heady peat smoke, with cloves, toasted nuts and a hint of coconut adding depth and complexity. Butterscotch, brown sugar and warm bread pave the way for the cereal-forward single malt whisky.

Palate: High strength yet exceptionally soft in texture, Octomore 15.3 is unmistakably rounded and viscous. Butterscotch and creamy vanilla enhance its smooth character, punctuated with dried fruit and sweet orange zest. Toasted oak and locally grown barley sugar are underpinned with waves of dry smoke. 

Finish: Burnt sugar, coconut, and delicate sea spray linger on the finish, with the lasting impression of earthy peat smoke forcing you to come back for more. 

Awards/Reviews:

94 Points - Whisky Advocate

"Sweet peat and roasted oats open the nose. With time, spearmint, menthol, rubber soles, and bracing antiseptic aromas emerge. The palate delivers burnt banana, toasted coconut cream, rubber, and iodine. Beyond the expected peaty flavors, the whisky has exceptional depth. There’s a burst of vanilla sweetness and layers of stewed fruits and cheesecake. The whisky holds its proof well and the finish smolders with sweet smoke."

"The big boy of the year exudes sherry from the top. Nutty and citrusy, with a sharp, spiced orange peel character. It’s earthy and laden with petrol, but also filled with fruit. An incense-like quality builds with time in glass. On the palate, the 61.3% abv whisky is aggressive and tight, a pungent attack featuring lemon and orange peel, followed by a heavy dose of florals. Water curiously brings out more of the whisky’s earthier tones. More airtime helps the nuttier aspects of the whisky to show themselves more clearly, the citrus meandering more toward slightly bitter grapefruit peel notes, backed up by plenty of salty sea spray. Immersive and never short of intense." - Drinkhacker

"This one obviously has a lot of peat upfront, particularly on the nose. While that ashy component lingers on the palate, there’s a zestfulness here with a lot of orange peel, dried fruit and toffee on the palate. The fruit notes shine with a few drops of water, which you’ll definitely want to use." - InsideHook