"The Journey of the Octave delves into the secret of the cask, how these magical little 65lt casks transform great whiskies to something truly exceptional and complex. We have spoken many times about the transformation, now we have the opportunity to share it with you.
In the kit, alongside the whisky we have added a sample of oloroso sherry, some wonderfully pure Highland water and a key aroma suited to each individual whisky.
Not each and every Octave will mature in exactly the same way and there all subtle differences across the three whiskies we have chosen, that is one of the great bonuses of this program." - Ian Logan Senior Spirits Manager for Duncan Taylor.
Get £20 OFF when you purchase kit and final bottle together! Click HERE to view the Kit individually.
This product is beautifully packaged in glass bottles nestled in in a foam padded luxurious box to match the unrivalled whiskies inside. A perfect gift for your self or a loved one. It consists of a tasting kit that included 3*30ml whisky samples (pre octave, 6 weeks in Octave and the final product), 3*10ml Aroma samples that match the notes of the whiskies, that the experts at Duncan Taylor where looking for in the final product. 1*30ml sample of Sherry that rested in the Octave cask previous to the Glenrothes. 1*30mls of the water the experts at Duncan Taylor use to cut the whiskies as they sample them from the cask to determine their maturation progress. And a Full 700ml Bottle of the final whisky.
Experience the aging process of The Octave Glenrothes 2013 9 Year Old, aged for 9 years in oak casks and finished for 4 months in a sherry octave cask. Only 79 bottles of this limited release are available, bottled at a cask strength of 54.9% to ensure a pure and natural taste without any artificial filtering or colouring.
WHAT IS OCTIVATION?
For many years, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited has experimented in the use of differing cask sizes for the maturation of single malt Scotch whiskies. This research stemmed from the simple premises that there is more interaction between the wood and spirit over a short period of time in a small cask than in a large cask, allowing for a faster melding of wood, air and alcohol.
To great delight, the spirit that resulted from this method of maturation demonstrated a depth of quality missing from a larger cask over a similar period of storage. It had become smoother, more balanced and was bursting with character, With its rough edges removed, the taste profile was changed dramatically, becoming akin to a whisky of a much more mature nature or vintage. It was polished, bright and sparkling with intensity.
TASTING NOTES
Stage 1 - Pre Octave: This dram is for those who lean towards a tarter palate with White pepper, fresh squeezed orange juice and home made apple sauce, the more zesty notes are brought together by soft heather honey, over all a creamy dram.
Stage 2 - 6 weeks in Octave: Starting to develop more complexity with the sweet honey developing into more of the sweetness from dried fruit. The pepper remains but makes an appearance more towards the finish. Notes of apples lingers.
Stage 3 - 18 Weeks in Octave: The maturation in the Octave has endowed plenty of sherry notes, packed full of dried fruit (prunes, raisons, candy peel) and notes of cinnamon. An night at the cinema with caramelised toffee popcorn and sugared almonds. the sweetness of meringues is balanced with the gentle tannins given off by green banana skins. The creamy mouth coating continues.
