Octomore 13.4

Three new editions of Octomore, a super-smoky malt whisky from the Bruichladdich distillery, were released last fall. Octomore have accustomed us to truly powerful levels of phenolic compounds in the malt used in their production. In the case of the eighth edition (Octomore 08.3), even the 300 ppm level was jumped over. The new 13th edition offers a decent level for any lover of Islay smoke and peat at around 130ppm.

Bruichladdich Distillery has just announced the debut of its fourth and final Octomore release, a whisky available exclusively at the distillery Octomore 13.4.

Octomore 13.4 (61.6% vol.) is, like the other editions in the thirteenth series, a whisky made with a malt base prepared from barley of the Concerto variety from the Scottish mainland. 2016 harvest, malting and smoking to 137.3 ppm, five years in barrels.

For ripening Octomore 13.4 first-fill American bourbon barrels were used, but after six months of maturation, their contents were transferred to specially prepared, intensively fired fresh American oak barrels. These barrels, with a capacity of 300 liters, languished in Bruichladdich warehouses until 2022, when it was decided to bottle their contents.

According to Adam Hannett, head of distillation at Bruichladdich, Octomore 13.4 was created from the same barley as the Octomore 10.4 edition that debuted two years ago. However, in the case of the former, the maturation time was only 3 years and, most importantly, completely different barrels were used for its maturation. Octomore 10.4 was matured in fresh European oak (Quercus robur) barrels, while Octomore 13.4 went into American oak (Quercus alba) barrels. A comparison of the two editions can provide interesting insights into how whisky maturation is affected by oak species and maturation time.

In the bouquet Octomore 13.4 you will find notes of burnt oak, sweet vanilla, toffee and delicate spices. It was bottled - like all Octomore - with absolutely no interference with the contents of the barrels, meaning no dilution, cold filtering or addition of coloring caramel. The cost of purchasing a single bottle is £170.

Octomore, the world's peatiest whisky, was first released in 2008. It is one of the many results of the work of Jim McEwan, then manager of the distillery, whose goal was to position Bruichladdich among the top whisky producers operating on Islay. Bruichladdich distinguished itself at the time by producing whisky on an island famous for its peaty, smoky whiskies... peatless whisky. This has resulted in a negligible presence in the market for its products and not very high esteem among the broad masses of whisky lovers. This situation was changed by both the appearance of the first editions of Octomore (first distillation 2002) and the peaty Port Charlotte. Since then, Bruichladdich has made itself known through a whole host of intriguing whisky editions, peated and non-peated, as well as huge changes in its production process, and business philosophy. Bruichladdich is now the largest employer on Islay, and some of the distillery's whisky editions are made entirely on Islay, from the barley growing literally just outside the distillery's fence to the bottling taking place at the same facility on the shores of Loch Indaal Bay.

The House of Whisky Online has in its current offering a wide range of Octomore, as well as others whiskies produced at Bruichladdich distillery, including some special editions, available initially only at the distillery. We invite you to visit.


[02.02.2023 / Photo: Bruichladdich]