Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich
61.6%
5 Years
This is the third entry in the 2025 release of Bruichladdich's annual Octomore series. Each offering in the Octomore lineup is considered to be some of the world's peatiest scotch whisky, as measured by phenol parts per million, or ppm. Like 16.1 and 16.2, Octomore 16.3 is aged five years and non-chill filtered. But that's about where the similarities stop. Unlike the other two, Octomore 16.3 was distilled from 100% Concerto barley grown on Bruichladdich's Octomore Farm, which is two miles away from the distillery on Islay. And while 16.1 and 16.2 were malted to 101.4 ppm, 16.3 takes a leap up to 189.5. It's also bottled at the highest ABV: 61.6%. Bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks were used for aging. Octomore 16.3 has a suggested retail price of $279.99.
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Campfire smoke is plentiful on the nose, joined by tobacco and some damp forest-y character, plus sweet cream, vanilla and stroopwafel, plus a prickle of heat.
Octomore 16.3 is near-creamy in viscosity and has some heat on the palate. Despite the high peat levels, this complex whisky doesn't smack you over the head with smoke. Rather, it's quite gentle and balanced. Layers of fruit and smoke work fantastically together. Smoke and sweet tobacco pair with apricot, apple and tangerine.
The finish is long, concluding with honeycomb, vanilla, tobacco and barbecue smoke.
A spectacular scotch whisky in terms of flavor and balance — the latter no easy feat considering the peat level.
93
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
