The Gen XY Lifestyle
A Peat Monster called the Octomore
Bruichladdich (pronounced brooke-lah-dee) has just released the latest incarnation of its extremely peated whisky in Singapore: the Octomore 7.1.
Here, whisky has always had the unfortunate connotation of being an old man’s drink, usually because its strong character – not to mention its high alcohol content – can only be tamed by an experienced drinker. That isn’t the case these days, but Bruichladdich’s Octomore 7.1, certainly will make you do a double take with its intense, peaty spirit.
Bruichladdich hails from Islay (pronounced eye-ler), Scotland. The region is famous for its signature peated style of whisky: smoky, charred barbeque notes on top of a sweet spirit. Not exactly everyone’s cup of tea, as you can see; but it is highly beloved as well, for the same reasons.
However, Bruichladdich is one of two distilleries that do not feature a peated (or heavily peated) spirit as its signature style; the other being Bunnahabhain (pronounced boon-nah-hah-burn). But what Bruichladdich does is it feature three distinct styles – an unpeated spirit called the Classic Laddie, a peated version called Port Charlotte, and a heavily (some say ridiculously) peated version called Octomore.
Octomore is made in batches, and 7.1 is its newest. The whisky has a phenol count of 208PPM (parts per million), and is one of the peatiest whiskies ever made. Made from Scottish barley and matured in Islay itself (an uncommon practice these days as most are matured on the mainland), the Octomore 7.1 is a five year old whisky, bottled at 59.5% ABV.
The whisky’s release coincides with the retirement of Head Distiller Jim McEwan, an industry legend who also had a big part to play in the distillery’s revival. He’s also known for his colourful storytelling, as well as his delightful tasting notes, as follows.
Jim McEwan’s Tasting Notes
Character Sweet and gentle belying hidden depths.
Colour Summer sun on Hebridean sand.
Nose Initially the nose is sea spray and caramel, lemon balm and pipe tobacco. Slowly, the peat smoke rises from the glass. Gentle but strong lifting vanilla, mint, toffee, golden syrup and almond. Peach follows with pear syrup and buttercup. A symphony, a delight to experience.
Palate Wow! Smoothness, sweetness and then smoke. A texture like no other, satin soft and devilishly warming. The American oak influence is in perfect tune with the smoke and soft fruits delicately, skillfully coaxed from the still during exceptionally slow distillation. Vanilla, honey, citrus rise up to be met with sea spray and leather, smoked mussels mix with autumn bracken and crème brûlée.
Finish As the sweetness from the oak fades the salt comes to the fore one last time while the gentle peat smoke steady and true grows and outlasts all else.
Mood The feeling is that of long summer nights turning cooler and shorter as autumn approaches. Watch the sun set over the sea and breathe the peat smoke hanging in the air.
The Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 is a limited edition, and only several hundred bottles are available in Singapore at select cocktail and hotel bars, and at 1855 The Bottle Shop.
