Octomore 15.3

Octomore 15.3 61.3% 70cl

Weighing in at a mind-boggling 307.2ppm, this Octomore release is one of the most heavily peated releases from the brand to-date. It’s made from 100% Islay barley sourced just 2 miles from the distillery at Octomore Farm. A combination of oloroso hogsheads and bourbon casks are pretty effective at tempering the smoke, building a robust fruitiness into the powerful flavour profile. As you’d expect, this is a directional dram – and a fascinating one for the smoke fiends. 

Tasting notes from Octomore:

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.