Octomore 2016 Edition 13.1 The Impossible Equation 5 yo

 

 

 

59,2°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

1st Fill American Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 137,3 ppm

The 1st version of Octomore's 13th Batch is the usual one, called the Scottish Barley. Distilled in 2016 from Concerto barley harvested in 2015 in Scotland, but on the Mainland, it spent 5 years in American first fill casks, either Bourbon or Tennesse Whisky. Then, in 2021, the liquid was transferred for a few months to other barrels, still American oak, but very fresh. Thus the flavours will impregnate the whisky more strongly. The result was bottled on March 15, 2022 and released in an unknown number of copies before going on sale in October.

Let's Taste It : 

Fairly soft attack, very vanilla-flavoured, well-balanced, with hints of coconut, goat's milk and lemon pulp. Ripe plums, mirabelles, greengages and gooseberries add mellowness. Smoke follows. It gives the whole a lovely fullness, but remains measured. Quite dry, with gravel, nails and burnt hay. Behind, coal, tar, plastic, peat that invades everything. A hint of minerality, wet rocks, quartz. On the palate, white fruits stand out on a layer of muddy peat. Milk chocolate, black earth, mushrooms. A little touch of sweetness, vanilla éclair, whipped cream. The spices add dynamism, paprika, cloves, nutmeg, grey pepper. Fairly long, decent finish, everything you'd expect from an Octomore, carbonaceous, explosive, undergrowth, humus, a pinch of cinnamon, star anise, hazelnuts.

 

In Short,

A fine product, better than many .1 series Octomores I've tasted. Rich and nuanced. However, I found the attack on the nose a little soft  It's not that I don't like it, but it's not what I expect from an Octomore. As such, I prefer the 12.1, which is more raw and unadorned. Otherwise, the price is of course an issue, a bit higher than usual, but it generally comes down a bit after a while. Just be patient..

Note : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Lord of the Lost - Six Feet Underground