Company: Bruichladdich
Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery
Region: Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Scotland
Aging: 5 Years – 40% in Oloroso Sherry Casks Hogsheads then 16% in First-Fill Amarone Oak Casks then the final 44% in Second-Fill Amarone Casks.
ABV: 57.7% ABV
Proof: 115.4 Proof
Peat Level: 128.9 PPM
Mash Bill: 100% Islay Single Malt – Barley Variety: Concerto
Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
MSRP Price: $190
Bruichladdich Octomore 14.2 Tasting Notes
Appearance: Light Amber
Nose: Peat, smoke, caramel, oak, vanilla, smoked jerky, chocolate, charred graham cracker, clove, dark fruits, baking spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond
Palate: Peat, smoke, charred oak, caramel sweetness, vanilla, malt, red fruit, cherry, raspberry, smoked jerky, pepper and spice
Finish: Long heavy finish with a nice oily and buttery mouthfeel – leaves you with a heavy peat, oak, and spice finish
Is Octomore 14.2 an Approachable Whisky?
Octomore 14.2 is a heavy hitter.
Not only is it loaded with peat, but it’s also nearly 130 Proof which means this is not a whiskey for beginners.
Experienced whiskey drinkers who are fans of heavily peated Scotch whisky like Laphroaig and Ardbeg, you should absolutely give this one a shot.
Is Octomore 14.2 Complex?
Octomore 14.2 is incredibly complex and has a ton of depth and flavor.
The nose reminds me of a burnt chocolate s’more that you left on the grill for just a little too long.
It has a nice charred graham cracker note to it that I really enjoy.
On the palate, you’re met with the big heavy peat that Octomore is known for but it is balanced nicely with the sweet caramel and vanilla from Oak barrels and red fruits like cherry and raspberry from the Oloroso Sherry casks and Amarone casks.
You also get an entirely other layer of flavor that is savory and meaty and reminds me of smoked beef jerky which is spicy, peppery, and a bit salty.
The finish is long and gives you a nice oily mouthfeel that lasts for a very long time and leaves you with a ton of flavor.
Bruichladdich’s Description of this Whisky from their Website
“With over 200 different cask types in the warehouses, Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, has selected casks that have previously held Oloroso and Amarone – with the distinct sweetness and nuttiness of this combination creating an exceptional single malt.
Hailing from the renowned wine regions of Spain and Italy respectively, the spirit is then brought together in French oak, adding remarkable depth and complexity to the single malt. Octomore’s signature peak smoke notoriously pairs well with Oloroso sherry casks, with the influence of the wood adding a robust, savoury flavour to the final spirit.
The oak from the Amarone casks also has a significant impact on the spirit, imparting rich, red fruit notes – giving structure and cohesion to the 14.2.”
What are Octomore 14.2’s strongest attributes/flavors?
Octomore 14.2’s strongest flavors are its amount of peat and the blending of both sweetness and red fruits.
The Oloroso Sherry and Amarone cask finishes really add an additional layer of flavor on top of the standard Octomore peat and smoke to create a delicate blend of flavors.
Is Octomore 14.2 a go-to whiskyy?
Octomore 14.2 is a pretty rare whisky to find in my area so I reserve this one for special occasions or to share with friends who love peaty Scotch whisky.
If I could find this more often, I would probably drink it pretty often, especially in the winter on cold days around the fire.
Is Octomore 14.2 priced accurately to its quality?
Octomore 14.2 costs a pretty penny and approaches upwards of $200 MSRP.
I do think the bottle delivers on the price tag because Octomore just has such a unique flavor profile.
But if you’re looking for a cheaper option, you could always look for the Octomore 13.4 which is $150 or go with the more obtainable Laphroaig Lore or Ardbeg Corryvreckan.
Conclusion for Bruichladdich Octomore 14.2 – Super Heavily Peated – Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bruichladdich Octomore 14.2 really is a unique whiskey.
You get all the great flavors of a standard Octomore bottle full of peat and smoke, but with an additional layer of caramel sweetness and red fruit flavors.
This bottle is quite enjoyable and I would recommend buying a bottle if you see it on the shelf.
Let Us Know What You Think
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Thanks for reading and cheers!
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