Company: Bruichladdich
Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery
Region: Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Scotland
Distillation: Distilled in 2017 from the 2016 Harvest
Aging: 5 Years – 50% in first-fill ex-bourbon whiskey casks then 50% in second-fill French Oak wine casks
ABV: 61.4% ABV
Proof: 112.8 Proof
Peat Level: 214.2 PPM
Barley Origin: Village & Lorgba Fields, Octomore Farm, Islay
Mash Bill: 100% Islay Single Malt – Barley Variety: Concerto from the Octomore Farm
Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
MSRP Price: $240
Bruichladdich Octomore 14.3 Tasting Notes
Appearance: Golden Honey
Nose: Buttery toffee, honey, brown sugar, peat, smoke, brine, vanilla, lightly toasted oak, malt, cereal grain, light fruits, hints of citrus, earthy
Palate: Peat, smoke, charred oak, smoked meat, peppered beef jerky, subtle spice, earthy cereal grain, malt, butterscotch
Finish: Smooth but long finish with an exceptional oily and buttery mouthfeel – leaves you with a perfectly balanced peat flavor profile full of oak, peppered smoke meats, and a delicious earthy cereal grain maltiness
Is Octomore 14.3 an Approachable Whisky?
Octomore 14.3 is packed full of peat and bold flavors, but it is surprisingly smooth for how strong it is.
This whiskey may still throw beginners for a loop, but if you’re a fan of peat you’re almost certainly going to love this one.
Is Octomore 14.3 Complex?
Octomore 14.3 is extremely complex and is full of delicately balanced depth and flavor.
The nose is full of pleasant sweet butterscotch and brown sugar aromas that are hidden behind the peat and smokiness.
The palate offers one of the most balanced peated whiskey experiences I’ve ever had.
Typically, peated Scotches like Laphroaig and Ardbeg have 40 PPM and 60 PPM Peat levels, respectively.
This bottle of Octomore has a whopping 214.2 PPM on the peat scale and surprisingly, it balances perfectly with all of the other flavors in this pour.
Behind the peat and smoke is a lovely layer of buttery brown sugar and butterscotch sweetness that is then followed up by a nice oaky spice and smoked meat pepper flavors all layered over a nice malty cereal grain.
The finish is also quite nice and way smoother than I would have expected.
Bruichladdich’s Description of this Whisky from their Website
“The Islay barley used in Octomore 14.3, grown just two miles from the distillery on Octomore farm, delivers a cereal-forward single malt – celebrating the profound impact of the natural, raw ingredient and the renaissance of the farming community who grew it.
Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, has expertly coaxed the flavour from the Islay barley in this high-provenance single malt. Matured in a combination of first-fill ex-American whiskey casks and second-fill wine casks, the oak influences but never dominates the grain – capturing the terroir and unique flavour of the Islay barley.
Aromas of hot, sweet mash are unmistakable on the nose, with the soft, biscuit notes of the malted barley complementing the earthy peat smoke. While smouldering peat lingers, creamy porridge and cereal notes of the Islay barley are balanced with butterscotch, honeycomb and a hint of vanilla.”
What are Octomore 14.3’s strongest attributes/flavors?
Octomore 14.3’s strongest attribute is how perfectly it balances a massive peat level with smooth and sweet flavors of butterscotch, oaky spice, and pepper with the underlying malt cereal grain.
Is Octomore 14.3 a go-to whiskey?
If I could find Octomore 14.3 more often, I would most certainly drink this all the time.
Is Octomore Octomore 14.3 priced accurately to its quality?
Octomore seems to have raised its prices a bit this year and that pushed this bottle to a price tag of $240 MSRP.
While this is a very expensive bottle of whisky, it does deliver on its price tag.
This is an exceptional bottle of peated Scotch whisky and one of the most balanced peated whiskeys I have tasted.
Conclusion for Bruichladdich Octomore 14.3
Bruichladdich Octomore 14.3 is one of the most enjoyable peated whiskeys I have tasted and is a real treat.
It is packed full of so much flavor that it is easily my favorite out of the 2023 limited-release collection beating out the Octomore 14.1 and the Octomore 14.2 by a landslide.
Last year, I was able to get the Octomore 13.4 and that one was a close race with this 14.3, but I think this bottle may win.
If you have the chance to purchase this one, I would definitely pick it up.
Let Us Know What You Think
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Thanks for reading and cheers!
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