Whisky Focus - Bruichladdich Launch Octomre 7.1 Scottish Barley

Bruichladdich launch the 7th edition of the worlds most peated whisky.

Here is one for the peat heads amongst you, Bruichladdich have announced the launch of Octomore 7.1, the seventh edition and latest expression of the world's most heavily peated whisky series.

Bruichladdich's maltsters face a challenge with each barley harvest destined for Octomore - to try and coax as many phenols into the grain as they can. This is delicate, inexact art rather than science, the results varying according to a complex suite of factors, each a celebration of points of difference. Each edition is therefore unique, limited, finite. It can never be reproduced.

7.1 continues this tradition, using only barley sourced from the Scottish mainland, 7.1 is peated to 208ppm. Each new Octomore is now highly anticipated by whisky connoisseurs and collectors around the world and 7.1 will be no different.

7.1 has been released at five years old to maximise the awesome power and vigour of the phenols. Matured in American oak and bottled at 59.5% ABV and as we have come to expect with Octomore it is bottled without colouring or chill filtration meaning the whisky retains its unctuous mouthfeel and presents its natural colour.

Bruichladdich master distiller Jim McEwan describes the nose as: "Like sea spray and caramel, lemon balm and pipe tobacco. Slowly, the peat rises from the glass, gentle but strong, lifting vanilla, mint, toffee, golden syrup and almond." On the palate, he finds: "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 that have been delicately coaxed from the still during an exceptionally slow distillation."

Bottled at 59.5% Octomore 7.1 Scottish Barley is available from specialist whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange priced £99.95
 

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