Oban Distiller’s Edition
Oban Distillers Edition is bottled at 43% ABV. This choice dram is given a second maturation in Montilla Fino Sherry casks. The result is a beautiful symphony of fruit, honey, sea salt and smoke.
Nose: Heather, sweet apples and almonds.
Palate: Dry, loads of dark fruit, black cherries, big sherry influence with smoke.
Finish: More dark fruit, bitter dark chocolate, a smoldering oak stave.
Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley
Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley was distilled using 100% Islay Barley grown and harvested by farmer James Brown at Lorgba, which is a field on Octomore farm. The barley was saturated with peat to an incredible 258 ppm, the highest ever released in the whisky industry. It is non-chill filtered and no colour added and matured for 5 short years. Here is my take!
Bottled at 64% ABV!
Nose: Sea salt, mint, heather, and peat for days!
Palate: Peat fire, red grapes, cherries, dark chocolate, and oak spices.
Finish: Long and lingering. Like a long satisfying exhale of Islay.
Octomore 10.4 Virgin Oak
Octomore 10.4 Virgin Oak is the newest expression released by Bruichladdich. It is also the youngest age statement and the lowest peat level in the Octomore range. At 3 years old and just 88 ppm one can understand why Octo-heads were up in arms when this expression was first announced. However, it didn’t take long for their tunes to change. The heavily charred French Limousin virgin oak casks somehow make this, cask strength, 3-year-old whisky, not only drinkable, but rich, bold, well balanced, and amazingly delicious. Here’s my take!
Bottled at 63.5% ABV
Nose: Incredibly rich, coffee, leather, chocolate, underlying berry notes, vanilla and, of course, wonderful campfire smoke.
Palate: Spice, more leather, tobacco, malty sweetness and earthy peat smoke.
Finish: Oak spices, more tobacco and vanilla then everlasting, glorious smoke.
Old Perth – 2020 Victoria Whisky Festival Exclusive
In celebration of the Victoria Whisky Festival’s 15th year, they have partnered with, independent bottler, Morrison & McKay and The Strath Liquor Store to offer an exclusive 2020 Victoria Whisky Festival Old Perth Blended Scotch Whisky. Here’s my take!
Nose: Pinetree pitch, mint, crisp Granny Smith apple, spiced apple cider, orange peel zest, dandelion milk.
Palate: Honey sweetness, anise, herbs, orchard fruit basket, baking spices and hints of barrel aged gin.
Finish: Peppery, baking spices, cookie dough, lingering pepper heat.Rating: 8.2/10