Octomore 14.2 Edition Bruichladdich 128.9 ppm Oloroso Single Islay Malt Whisky 57,7%

128.9 ppm. That number says most of it: the malt is peated far beyond what almost any other whisky ever sees. Yet Octomore 14.2 is not just raw smoke. Sherry and red wine casks have layered red fruit, coffee and dried fruit over the peat, and the two end up pulling in the same direction.

Expert Description

Octomore 14.2 Edition is a 5 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in Oloroso and Amarone casks, finished in Pauillac wine casks and bottled at a cask strength of 57.7%.

Octomore is Bruichladdich's range of extremely peated whiskies, and 14.2 is the middle release of the 14 series, known as The Impossible Equation. Release 14.1 is the backbone of the series and was matured in American oak. 14.2 goes in another direction entirely, with sherry and wine casks and no bourbon in sight.

The barley is 100% Scottish mainland Concerto, harvested in 2016 and malted to 128.9 ppm. The spirit was distilled in 2017 and spent four years maturing, split between 40% first fill hogsheads that held Oloroso sherry, 16% first fill Amarone casks and 44% refill Amarone casks. The fifth and final year went into casks that once held red wine from Pauillac in Bordeaux. Everything happened on Islay.

The casks give the smoke company. Oloroso brings nuts and dried fruit, Amarone adds red fruit and a dry edge, and the Pauillac casks finish with darker fruit and structure. It was bottled in 2023, non chill filtered and with no added colour.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Smoke arrives first, dry and heavy, with burnt heather and a hint of pipe tobacco from the oak. Underneath sit leather, prunes and redcurrants, plus malt and something close to warm porridge. Pepper, cinnamon and a green apple turn up a little later.

Palate

The oak takes a lot of space at first, dry and spicy, with black pepper and roasted coffee. Then the sweetness opens, a bit like glazed meat off the barbecue, followed by fruit cake and dried fruit, with the smoke lying over everything. A few drops of water pull out apple and pear and turn up the wine fruit.

Finish

Long and clean smoke. Burnt malt, scorched oak and an edge of sea salt that stays long after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Octomore 14.2 Edition Bruichladdich 128.9 ppm Islay Single Malt Whisky 57.7%
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 57.7%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill Oloroso hogsheads (40%), 1st fill Amarone casks (16%), refill Amarone casks (44%), finished in Pauillac wine casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2017
Bottled: 2023
Edition: Octomore 14.2, The Impossible Equation
EAN no.: 5055807416504

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Red fruit · Spicy · Coffee · Wine cask

Did you know?

The 128.9 ppm is measured in the malted barley, before anything has been mashed or distilled. A large share of the phenols disappears along the way, so the figure in the bottle is far lower. That is why two whiskies with the same ppm in the malt can taste completely different, and why the number sounds wilder than it always tastes.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Octomore 14.2

How peated is Octomore 14.2?

Very. The malt is at 128.9 ppm, and the smoke is dry and dark, more burnt heather and scorched wood than sweet bonfire. The sherry and wine casks add fruit and sweetness, so the peat does not stand alone. To understand what ppm really tells you, read our article on the difference between peat and smoke in whisky.

Is Octomore 14.2 worth it?

Yes, if you want an Octomore that does not look like the others. It is a limited release, and the mix of Oloroso, Amarone and Pauillac casks makes it very different from the releases matured in bourbon casks. Bruichladdich has used Octomore since 2008 to push the limits of peated whisky, and 14.2 is the one where red fruit and coffee get the most room. If you are new to the series, one of the other releases may be an easier place to start.

What is the difference between Octomore 14.1, 14.2 and 14.3?

Mainly the casks and the peat level. 14.1 has the same 128.9 ppm as 14.2 but was matured in American oak. 14.2 was matured in sherry and wine casks and has more fruit and coffee. 14.3 is much more heavily peated at 214.2 ppm and was matured in bourbon and wine casks. We have written a blog post on Octomore 14 if you want to read more about the whole series.

How should you drink Octomore 14.2?

Neat and in a tulip-shaped glass, so smoke and fruit stay together. At 57.7% it handles water well, and a few drops open up apple and pear and bring out the wine fruit. See our range of whisky glasses.

What food goes with Octomore 14.2?

Grilled meat and dark chocolate are good bets. The whisky has a sweetness that recalls the barbecue, and the smoke meets the charred food naturally. Dark chocolate picks up the coffee and dried fruit. A strong blue cheese can also stand up to it.

Who makes Octomore?

Bruichladdich on Islay. The distillery sits by Loch Indaal and reopened in 2001 after being closed since 1994. Octomore is its most extreme range, with new releases every year. If you want to compare with the island's other smoky whiskies, we carry a wide range of Islay Whisky.