Bruichladdich Octomore 13.2 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 58.3%           Age: 5 Years Old           Country: Scotland           PPM:137.3ppm

*Limit to one per customer/household

Bruichladdich is living proof that the traditional whisky regions of Scotland make no sense. Please don’t think that labelling a whisky “Islay” has anything to do with taste because the truth is far more complicated and interesting. Built in 1881 when puffer-supplied coal was available as an alternative fuel to local peat, it is likely that Bruichladdich was specifically designed to produce the purest unpeated spirit possible. The great Alfred Barnard supports this view with a tantalising clue – the Laddie is the only distillery on Islay that he does not describe as drying its malt using peat in his fascinating exploration of the island’s distilleries in 1885. Sadly, none of that 19th century spirit survives, but the original Victorian machinery has allowed an unparalleled legacy of craft distilling to trickle down through the generations of men who make this sophisticated Islay dram.

The Octomore series was launched in 2008 and since has been very well received by whisky connoisseurs the world over. The series resembles the start of whisky innovation and creativity for the Bruichladddich distillery. Peating the malted barley for longer periods and creating a whisky from local barley was the challenge. The distillery set out to create the peatiest whisky in the world and have succeeded time and time again. Using different types of oak for maturation and breaking the rules as many times as possible to create a peated whisky like no other.

Following a similar path to the Octomore 13.1, this 13.2 edition is also distilled from 100% Scottish grown Concerto barley and has been malted to the same 137.3PPM. However, the entire maturation in first fill Oloroso sherry butts from Jerez, Spain, offers a unique opportunity to compare the two spirits – with the sherry influence beautifully complementing the smoke and vibrancy of the single malt.

Bruichladdich use the same batch of super-heavily peated barley for both the 13.1 and 13.2. The casks used have been sourced from Fernando de Castilla, in Jerez, Spain.  These casks have previously held Oloroso sherry that is crafted under the same guiding principles inherent to Bruichladdich Distillery. Speaking of their importance on this particular Octomore single malt, Head Distiller Adam Hannett notes, “There’s a beautiful influence from the full-term maturation in these first fill Oloroso sherry butts. They’ve matured in the dunnage warehouses in the village of Port Charlotte, and the combination of cask and a slow and cold maturation has really accentuated the salty tang of the spirit.”

Bottled at 58.3% ABV and bottled non-chillfiltered and without any colouring.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Wonderful notes of the sea salty ocean which combines with milk chocolate and hints of leather. Old cigar boxes and citrus notes dance with clove and cinnamon. A touch of water releases dark fruits and tropical fruit notes with gentle peat smoke.

Palate: Dense and oily, smoked almonds, toasted macadamias, orange marmalade, dried stone fruits and soft smoke.

Finish: A long smoky memorable finish with sea salt and chocolate coated nuts.