Br1 Elements of Islay

Bruichladdich Octomore Discovery Quadruple Distilled

One of the reason why I am big fan of the Octomore series is the sheer brilliance of Master Distiller Jim McEwan to bring out a set of expressions where the ridiculously high peat levels in the young spirit get camouflaged by an array of excellent notes on the nose, palate and the finish. This time though Jim has gone ahead and added a completely...

Score 90/100

Bruichladdich 3D3 Norrie Campbell

Norrie Campbell was Islay’s last traditional peat cutter. To honor him, Jim McEwan put this Laddie 3D3 together. The name 3D3 has special meaning: 3 ages, 3 types of casks and 3 levels of peat. This is a blended malt (we can no longer say vatted malt) of unpeated Bruichladdich, 40ppm peated Port Charlotte and 80ppm peated Octomore. The casks used...

Score 89/100

Octomore 5 Year Old Edition 06.1 Scottish Barley

The peat bombs that Bruichladdich markets under the name Octormore are usually quite fruity and quaffable. This Ochdamh Mor is 5 years old and was released in 2013. The peat level is 167 ppm, but that does not mean a whole lot taste-wise, as you are about to read. This is probably the most brackish nose I have ever had on a whisky. Nothing but...

Score 84/100

Bruichladdich 2003 7 yo Port Matured Islay

This was originally marketed in Ontario as the Jim McEwan Special Edition (but must have failed to sell). Slightly sweet nose, redolent of red wine (go figure), coffee and caramel. Mild and light. Flavours at first taste are very different. Real mish-mash of things come to the fore finishing with some camphor and a sharp alcohol burn. This is some...

Score 64/100