Octomore 16.3 61.6% 70cl

Octomore 16.3 61.6% 70cl

The third Octomore 16 bottling is something very special indeed. More elegant than you might expect, it champions the influence of Islay barley, grown just down the road in Church Field on Octomore Farm. Aged for five years in an amalgam of ex-bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks, it’s intricate and detailed with far more nuance than you might think from its 189.5ppm peat specification. An essential bottle if you love smoky whiskies than go beyond the obvious.

Official tasting notes:

Nose: Blooming heather and distant bonfire smoke. Soft notes of barley sugar and freshly baked bread are brightened with hints of lemon zest and green apple peel, underpinned by delicate florals. Peat smoke is present but restrained.

Palate: A symphony of honeyed malt, toasted grain and a distinctive earthiness greet the palate. Orchard fruits, citrus and a touch of vanilla sweetness follow, whilst delicate threads of smoke and salinity weave through the malt, providing a gentle counterpoint to heather and coconutty gorse.

Finish: A medium-length finish of sweet barley, accompanied by subtle floral notes, which give way to the gentle smokiness of a beach bonfire. Citrus and a touch of minerality linger on.