Bruichladdich – Octomore Edition 16.2 (70cl, 58.1%)

Octomore Edition 16.2 is a super-heavily peated Islay single malt from Bruichladdich, aged five years and bottled at 58.1% in a 70cl bottle. The barley is peated to 101.4 PPM. The whisky was matured in Oloroso sherry and Bordeaux wine casks, then finished in Madeira and Portuguese Moscatel casks. Bruichladdich presents it as an exploration of red wine and smoke, and it is the first time this combination of casks has been used for an Octomore. It is a limited release. The tasting notes describe sweet peat smoke, honeyed florals, orange blossom and coastal freshness on the nose. The palate offers caramelised sugar, roasted nuts, dried figs, red berries and polished oak, and the finish is long and warming with sweet smoke, dried fruit and maritime spice.