Bruichladdich to release youngest Octomore to date

by Melita Kiely

Islay distillery Bruichladdich has revealed a new series of Octomore single malt whiskies – including the brand’s youngest whisky to date.

Octomore 10, as the series is called, features four heavily peated single malts. Three were released on 1 October, while the fourth will be released in January 2020. The first whisky in the range is Octomore 10.1, which was distilled from Scottish barley harvested in 2013. The whisky was then matured in ex-American oak barrels for five years and bottled at 59.8% ABV. Octomore 10.2 has been matured for equal periods in first-fill ex-American oak casks and third-fill French oak casks, the latter of which previously held Sauternes wine. This is said to give the whisky tropical fruit notes to complement the floral, fruity Octomore spirit. Bottled at 56.9% ABV, Octomore 10.2 is available exclusively in global travel retail. Meanwhile, Octomore 10.3 was distilled in 2013 from a 2012 barley harvest. It has been matured for six years exclusively in ex-American oak casks. Described as a single field, single vintage, single malt, Octomore 10.3 has been bottled at 61.3% ABV. Completing the series is Octomore 10.4. Distilled in 2016 from a 2015 harvest, at three years old this whisky is the youngest Octomore released to date. It has been matured in Limousin oak casks that were heavily toasted before being filled with new-make spirit. Octomore 10.4 has been bottled at 63.5% ABV and will be available to purchase next year.