Octomore Edition 12.1

Description

This is the Octomore 12.1 from Bruichladdich, distilled on the isle of Islay and boasting a characteristically peaty profile. Produced with 100% Scottish barley, it has been peated to 130.8PPM and matured for five years in first-fill American whiskey casks before being bottled up at a hefty 59.3% ABV. It offers notes of rich malt, cereals, vanilla, orange, fudge and aromatic peat smoke throughout the palate.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Light gold

Nose: Zesty citrus freshness and earthy peat smoke open to vanilla sponge cake and barley sugars with rich malt sweetness. Coconut, chocolate, vanilla and caramel follow and, as the aromas open further, cinder toffee, layers of peat smoke and honey come to the fore.

Palate: Peppery and sweet on the palate, with a smooth texture of warm golden syrup. Honey and peat smoke then move to fired oak chips and peaty apricot jam. Another sip brings malted barley sugars and straw, heather flower and a nutty nougat sweetness. A mineral sandy note sits on the palate and brings through a dry phenolic earthy smoke, with hints of orange zest and pear drops.

Finish: The finish brings salted caramel with floral and herbal notes. Honeysuckle, primrose and then, as ever, gentle peat smoke lingers.