Jim McEwan Signature Collection 4.3, Octomore 2015, 6 year old

Jim McEwan Signature Collection 4.3, Octomore 2015, 6 year old

Distilled on 20th May 2015 this whisky spent its whole 6-year life maturing in cask #4366. This maturation took place in a 1st fill Bourbon barrel from Heaven Hillsditillery. Peated to 130.8PPM it is one for the peat lovers.

Bottled in October 2021 as Release 4.3 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 64.0% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 176 bottles, making it the rarest of the collection bottled to date.

Tasting notes from Jim McEwan;

Aromas - No mistaking where this warrior comes from! The peat smoke mingles beautifully with crispy sweet cereal notes of Islay barley all contained in a spicy halo from the first occupant of the cask which has been toasted prior to being filled with bourbon. It’s a strong young Ileach that transports your senses to the Island of Distilleries. The marine influence bringing a magical halo around the peat aromas as they rise.

Palate - The viscosity of the spirit is stunning; No chill filtration, no colouring plus that Islay pedigree, power, peat and passion! At 64.0% it’s at its best.

The sweetness of the barley mingles beautifully with the mellowness of the oak and by mid palate its pure harmony! The young spirit is holding the oak at bay allowing the smoked pear and apple flavours to emerge, drizzled with sweet malt extract.

It’s a stunning young warrior son of Islay. The most heavily plated malt in the world and it proves that you can, with skilled distillers create a spirit that is totally unique.