Bruichladdich Octomore 10.2

Today, May 23rd would have been the start of the famous Islay Festival, Fèis Ìle. But alas, we are still in a shutdown / shelter in place situation due to COVID-19. Though dissapointing to know that Islay festival has been cancelled this year, it is the right thing to do.

I’ve never been to Islay week, or Islay for that matter. However, to celebrate it, I am sitting on my deck on this warm sunny afternoon in California sipping on some Bruichladdich Octomore 10.2 . The Octomore line of Bruichladdich is the Super Heavily Peated line up. The Octomore 10.2 does not dissapoint in that regard with 96.9 PPM. Don’t let the high PPM scare you away from it though. This bottle is special. Distilled in 2010 from the 2009 harvest, with 100% Scottish grown optic & Oxbridge barley, the Octomore 10.2 is aged for only 8 years first in fresh bourbon barrels before being moved to incredibly rare Sauternes casks and finally bottled at a stunning 56.9% ALC. /Vol.

Aging in sweet wine casks brings out the perfect balance of peat with a balance of sweet tropical fruits.

Nose: Passion fruit, smoke / oak, lemon pie
Palate: Oily, sweet toasted oak with a good balance of peat & fruits. Peaches, nectarines and a continuation of a lemon pie.
Finish: Lingering smoke, honey, oranges

Limited to only 24,000 bottles, and a travel exclusive, this is a hard to find bottle but a must buy for any peat fan.