Bruichladdich Octomore 12.3

Octomore 12.3 is single vintage, single field, single malt. Raised in Church Field on Octomore Farm by friend and farmer James Brown, this Islay grown barley has been trickle distilled through their tall narrow necked stills just two miles from where it was grown. This terroir-driven spirit would take two separate journeys before being combined; 75% was filled into ex-American whiskey casks, while the remaining 25% spent five years maturing in genuine Pedro Ximenez Solera casks from Jerez bodega Fernando de Castilla. This Islay barley spirit has breathed slowly and delicately for five aged years, its salty citrus marine note resulting from the locale of where the barley was grown and their warehouses proximity to the sea. The Pedro Ximenez casks contribute sweet dried fruit notes which highlight the rich dry peat smoke of Octomore.

Malted to 118.1 PPM
Distilled in 2015 from the 2014 harvest of 100% Octomore Farm grown Concerto barley
MATURATION PROFILE: Two parcels of super heavily peated spirit were married together to create this 12.3. The first parcel (75%) was matured full term in first fill American whiskey casks. The second parcel (25%) was matured full term in first fill PX sherry butts from Fernando De Castilla
Matured on Islay for 5 aged years
Bottled unchill-filtered and colouring free at Bruichladdich Distillery
Bottled at 62.1% alc./vol

Tasting notes:
CHARACTER – The PX casks bring a luxurious dried fruit style, sweet and rich. This layers beautifully with the rich phenols and light marine notes.

AROMA – Light sherry notes of fig, raisin and dates with charcoal, boot polish smoky notes set the tone for this dram. Light, fresh citrus honey notes from the spirit, intense floral notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom burst from the glass and then dark toffee, milk chocolate and vanilla from the oak add depth to the aromas. Smoked grain, seaweed, linseed oil and tobacco come as the whisky continues to open.

TASTE – Peppery nasturtium flowers, dark chocolate, earthy peat smoke and those sherry fruits rush across the palate at first. The Peat smoke and the dried fruit dominate and then comes the barley sugar and charred oak, releasing those rich toffee and tobacco notes. Sweet pastry and toasted grain then more sooty earthy peat smoke.

FINISH – Charcoal, soot and dried figs. Salted lemons and bitter chocolate.

COLOUR – Light polished copper.