Ochdamh-mòr Masterclass 08.1

The spirit of Octomore has been defying logic for over fifteen years. The “what if” moment that once seemed almost absurd has progressively morphed into something endlessly alluring. Now, suddenly, there are eight. The Octomore 08.1 edition is: 167 ppm and was distilled in 2008 using 100% Scottish barley, from 2007 harvest. 100% matured in first fill American oak casks, including Buffalo Trace, Clermont Springs, Four Roses, Heaven Hill & Jack Daniels.

Distilled in 2009 using Scottish barley from the 2008 harvest, this Octomore was peated to a level of 168 PPM. Holy phenolic fireworks Batm'n! (Although this series, counter intuitively, is also known for its relative subtlety.) Matured exclusively in first fill American oak casks (ex-Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill and Jack Daniels, if you were wondering), 08.1 has been bottled at a healthy 59.3% abv with neither artificial colouring nor chill filtration. 

Like its Islay neighbour Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich has traditionally been an un-peated single malt, mostly owing to its requirements by the blenders who owned it. The last of these was Whyte and Mackay, who eventually shut it down in 1995, deeming it surplus to requirements. They sold the distillery to Murray McDavid in 2001, who launched the peated Port Charlotte and heavily-peated Octomore single malts in 2006 and 2008. A recommissioned Lomond still also now produces the popular Botanist gin there.