Octomore 5 Year Old Edition 05.1 169ppm

The latest edition of Octomore wins the peat race with flying colours. No less than 169ppm. But those who know Octomore also know that does not mean they have to be utter peat monsters per se. This one is very, very pale.

The nose is quite peaty, of course, but indeed not truly a monster. It is mildly sweet on corn flakes and has something umami to offer that I can only describe as meatloaf. Weird, but not bad. Some straw, mint, smoke, ash, tar and salt.

On the palate, though, the peat and smoke are present in full force immediately. The meatloaf has turned into (unbaked) dough (nice, but not very healthy). Loads of grains and, surprisingly, white fruit. Pears, mostly. If not a peat monster, it is at least fast becoming a beast of sorts.

The finish is all about smoke, with all other flavours doomed to be insignificant.

The peat does play a more prominent role in this one compared with previous bottlings from Octomore. But it works! Between 110 and 120 EUR. Thanks to Johan for the sample.

Find where to buy Bruichladdich whisky