Single Malt
Scotland
1 Jan 2012
Octomore 09.3 is a 5 year old intensely peated single malt from Bruichladdich, produced using barley from a single field on a single farm on Islay (Irene's Field at Octomore Farm). Bruichladch are big on details, so they've let us in on what casks were used to mature 09.3 - 25% first-fill American oak, 25% third-fill virgin oak, 20% second-fill Rivesaltes, 20% second-fill Syrah and 10% second-fill bourbon casks.
Toasted oak and burnt herbs, with a whiff of fresh grass mixed in. Some lighter hints of fresh vanilla, but smoke is the main draw here.
Black tea smokiness and general peat reek once again, with just a hint of coastal air. Honey and golden syrup.
Petrichor, salted butter and bonfire embers.
Very very nice
This is really special stuff. Loads of character and not just the raw fire that the heavy peat content suggests. Think of all the great things you love in a peaty Islay then triple the intensity of them and you have this beaut.
First tasted this after having had three 25-30-year-old whiskies (Dewar's 25-year-old Signature, Glenfarclas 30 and Glen Scotia 25)! This, although being the junior, is by no means the least! I've enjoyed Octomore before and it never fails to exhilarate and impress in bucket loads! An intense, magnificent, full-flavoured dram full of character and class! Especially lovable for peat-heads like myself! Highly recommended!
