Islay distillery Bruichladdich has announced the 14th annual release of Octomore, its series of five year old single malt scotch whiskies that Bruichladdich touts as “the world’s most heavily peated scotch whisky series.”

The Octomore 14.2 is aged in 44% second-fill Amarone casks, 40% first-fill Oloroso hogsheads and 16% first-fill Amarone casks, Octomore 14.2 is bottled at 57.7% ABV and features the same 128.9 ppm mark as 14.1.

Color: Deep amber

Nose: Leather, prunes, red currents and malted barley come to the fore, followed by toasted oak and hints of cinnamon, green apple and black pepper. Waves of smoke and distinct red fruits follow, complemented with cereal notes of malt and porridge. The peat smoke is dry and brooding, with hints of burnt heather and subtle pipe tobacco from the oak.

Taste: The influence of the European oak is unmissable, with a touch of dryness balanced with the vibrancy of wood spices, smoked oak and roasted coffee. Barbeque sweetness and a crack of black pepper is complemented with rich fruit cake and dried fruits. A drop of water opens the smoke and fruity sweetness from the wine casks, bringing a beautiful balance as notes of apple and pear grow with the dram.

Finish: Smoked malt, smouldering oak and sea salt settle on the finish, as Octomore’s signature earthy smoke lingers.