Octomore 07.4

The Octomore 07.4 is distilled on 21-04-2008 and peated at a level of 167 ppm. In total 12.000 bottles produced on 12 January 2016 at 61,2%. For maturation 25% of the casks spent full term in Virgin oak and 75% of the casks spent three years in first fill bourbon, then two years in virgin oak, then another two years in first fill bourbon. Making the Octomore 07.4 seven years old.

On the nose I get creamy vanilla and lush peaty notes. Sweetness from different red and black forrest fruits. Black current, raspberry, strawberry, red current, red sweet ripe apples, hint of granny smith apple sourness and gooseberries. Floor wax, soft worn leather and pipe tobacco notes. Toffee and mango creaminess is clearly present on the nose for me. Also noticing some equaliptus and orange freshness with dark chocolate mouse following those closely.

Palate is first filled with red and black pepper, salty popcorn, fudge, tobacco, leather, honey, sweet and fruity. Liquerish and baking spices together with the feeling of a Latte Machiato with a good swirl of fudge on it. It is very much like what I found on the nose and gets only sweeter with other fruits and jams. Also notes of French fluffy pastry, cakes and warm chocolate with little marshmallows... So nice this dram... Really are enjoying it very much. Adding some water to it makes the forrest fruit come out more clearly and tones down the hot pepper at the beginning of the palate. Quite a good length creamy sweet finish on it with some notes of honeysuckle and ashes. Scoring it an 9 out 10. Love it. Thanks Bruichladdich for sending a sample of this one to taste! Much appreciated!