Octomore 13.3, Islay Barley, Islay Single Malt Whisky, 61.1%

Octomore 13.3 demonstrates the phenomenal force of flavour when combining super-heavy peat with the variable harvests gathered from the island of Islay, on one singular farm. Raised by friend and farmer James Brown, just two miles south of the distillery, this crop of Concerto barley was distilled in 2016 from the 2015 growing season, has been patiently coaxed through our Victorian distillery before being filled into casks for five years. 

This particular Octomore Islay barley has been matured in a foundational parcel of first fill ex-American whiskey barrels and a supplementary selection of second fill European oak casks, hailing from the Rivesaltes region of France and the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. This European oak gives more subtle structure to the spirit, while the American oak allows the spirit to take centre stage.

Expect vanilla and brown sugar, counterbalanced with fresh and round green fruit notes. The smoke is, as ever, gentle and dry, building to a long finish with hints of creosote and sea spray.