Bruichladdich just released Octomore series 15. We picked the cornerstone expression 15.1 for this review. It is peated to 108.2 ppm and distilled from 100% Scottish Concerto barley. Maturation took place in a combination of first fill bourbon barrels and re-charred bourbon casks.
For your information 15.2 adds wine and cognac casks to the recipe. Octomore 15.3 is quite a different beast, peated to 307.2 ppm making it the second most heavily peated release to date, matured in bourbon casks and Oloroso hogsheads.
Bruichladdich Octomore 15.1 5yo 2018 (59,1%, OB 2024, first-fill + recharred bourbon casks)
Nose: toasted, charred notes rather than rude peat. There’s also a lot of creamy vanilla, even a buttery note, along with brighter citrus and aniseed. Also grassy and mossy notes, pears and maybe some white grapes. Bay leaves and hints of pepper, as well as a floral geranium note. Overall perhaps a little shy.
Mouth: more ashy and earthy smoke now, almost like mezcal at times. Soon this mingles with some tannic notes and smoked meats, with cloves, hay and a subtle vanilla note. Then lemon and salt comes out, as well as slightly bitter walnuts and ginger. A little narrow again, lacking a bit of depth, despite a nice warming coffee note in the end.
Finish: quite long, with a firm coastal footprint, along with sweet charred oak, aniseed and lemon pith.
I expected a bit more from a classic bourbon matured Octomore, to be honest. It feels quite young and narrow, so I’d only recommend it if you’re looking for a peaty slap in your face. Certainly rougher than other 5 year-old Octomores. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Tyndrum Whisky for instance.