Bruichladdich Octomore 8.3

Octomore 8.3 is a standout in the Masterclass series, renowned for its "uber-provenance" (one farm, one field, and one vintage) and being the most heavily-peated Octomore whisky ever released, with a staggering 309ppm! Distilled in 2011 and bottled as a 5-year-old, this whisky is matured in a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon casks (56%) and European oak casks (44%), including Paulliac, Ventoux, Rhone, and Burgundy. Only 18,000 bottles were produced, each bottled at a robust cask strength of 61.2%.

Nose: This Octomore whisky offers a rich aroma of toasted oak and intense peaty smoke, complemented by bandages, maple syrup, fresh linen, and sea shells. The scent evolves with heather, peat moss, and fruity notes of cherry, peach, and mango, transitioning to crème brûlée and toffee.

Palate: The initial taste of this whisky reveals an overwhelming bitterness from the peat, but subsequent sips reveal cherry and peach flavors, toasted sweet oak, dark chocolate, boot polish, and seaweed.

Finish: The finish is complex, featuring crème brûlée with slightly overdone caramelized brown sugar, dark plum, orange, and kiwi mingling with malted barley sweetness. The tremendous peat smoke is balanced by roasted coffee and burnt heather, providing a memorable end to this exceptional whisky.