63,5°
Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay
Heavily Toasted French Limousin Virgin Oak Casks
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2019
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 88 ppm
Series .4 of Octomore has the particularity of having been aged in virgin casks. There are only three batches in this series, 7, 8 and 10. Aging a whisky in virgin casks is quite rare, especially because it's expensive, since the casks have never been used before. And you get less aromas. But in this particular case, it may be different, as the casks have been heavily toasted beforehand, in other words burnt, which releases a variety of flavours. 12,000 bottles were sold.
Let's Taste It :
The nose seems fairly rich, even captivating. Surprising, for virgin casks. You think you're touching the wood, feeling the splinters under the skin. Dried fruits, apricots, ashy peat, an overturned ashtray. Beautiful balance. Hazelnut, maple syrup, holly. You can feel the intensity of the wood. But it's also a bit alcoholic. Spicy but also suave on the palate. Ginger, paprika, pepper. Quite syrupy, like Banyuls. The finish isn't very long, but it's good, earthy, fat, chestnut, pumpkin, butternut. Cranberries.
In Short,
Admittedly, it's good and original, but not very complex, and even a bit young. On the one hand, I'm surprised by the intensity of the aromas that the bare wood has to offer, but on the other I'm a little disappointed. All in all, I wouldn't recommend buying it. There are much better Octomores out there.
Score : 89
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Toto - Hold The Line
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