Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 6.3 Aged 5 Years Islay Barley

This is what the Bruichladdich website describes this bottling as. What does that mean? For that matter, what do any of the overtly-descriptive tasting notes mean on their site, anyway? I've mentioned before how much I hate their notes, and that hasn't changed...

Anyway - this spirit was distilled in 2009 from 100% local Islay barley, from the Lorgba Field on James Brown's Octomore Farm. Before distillation the barley was peated to a record-breaking 258ppm. Maturation was for five years.

The colour is a pale gold. On the nose: peach cobbler, thyme, fresh hay and lime juice. Peaty without being overtly smoky. Cotton candy. Menthol. Slight vinegar note. Water brings out a little more smoke, but it's really not essential. Very complex, with seemingly disparate elements coming together very nicely.

On the palate there is sweet smoke with citrus, tropical fruits, dark chocolate and barley sugar. Slightly syrupy mouthfeel. Certainly doesn't feel like 64% ABV! Water adds a bit more heat to the proceedings. Sweet and scrumptious without too much smoke - very nice but surprisingly could use a bit more oomph.

The finish is herbal with light tobacco and buttered pastry, and is medium length. A lovely dram, but could use a bit more power, especially given the huge phenol count. One of the things I like about Octomore is how their high level of peating never seems to dominate the other notes. However, while retaining the complexity, this one needs just a little bit more power.

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