Bruichladdich Octomore 10 Year Old 2016 2nd Edition

Octomore, the heavily peated malt from Bruichladdich, released its second edition of the 10 year old in 2016. It matured on first fill bourbon and Grenace Blanc casks. Grenache Blanc is a white grape that was originally grown in Spanje, but can now also be found in France. The wines are usually quite dry, soft and fruity with loads of aniseed, dill and nectarines. I am curious as to what this will have done to the peated spirit.

The nose, however, is hardly a peat bomb. Quite herbal with all kinds of spices though, like cardamom and anise. To be honest, it reminds me of a gin at first nosing! Sweet malt, citrus and something mentholated and even some nail polish remover. Finally some play-doh.

It is wonderfully creamy and very sweet, very powerful and spicy and immediately drying. Loads of citrus, ashes and some burnt liquorice. Not very peaty nor smoky, but utterly tarry.

The finish is medium long, mildly salty and shows some bitterness. Again I have to think of gin, albeit on steroids.

Octomore is a class apart, I’m sure we all agree. You can hardly compare it to anything else. And it certainly is special. Just not 175 EUR special.

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