The smokiest Single Malt ever? in Foodie Entries

I received a bottle of Octomore 5.1/169 ppm Single Malt, purportedly the smokiest whiskey in Scotland. By comparison, for those of you who are aficionados of smokey whiskey, Laphroaig is about 65 parts per million of the phenols responsible for that peaty aroma. This creation packs almost a triple wallop of that. You can read more about it here, and watch a very informative video:

http://www.bruichladdich.com/the-whisky/octomore/octomore-5-1-169-ppm

And their descriptions are classic:

CHARACTER

This strong, handsome, well-endowed warrior leaps from the glass smouldering with the passion and fire that reflects the characteristics of Islay. The warm smoky sweetness, the power of Atlantic swells, the passion of the Celts and the unbowed pride of the Scots all there in your hand. How blessed are you?

COLOUR

Cadmium yellow/ jasmine

NOSE

Blazing peat fires send sparks of joy onto the unsuspecting olfactory system captivating and ravishing the senses which have never had such natural pleasure. Now they are aroused, thrilled, stimulated and in awe of the strength and youth of the spirit. The barley is shimmering, the oak mellowing, the fruits bursting, the Atlantic squalls detonating. The peat smoke smouldering, the sea mists swirling, the heathland hedonistic; welcome to the aromatic world of the hand made, heavy peated, slow distilled, maritime matured single malt.

PALATE

The texture of the spirit is endless, super smooth. On entry it is absolutely sensational; it’s like “Wow”! Don’t worry you’re going to be ok, I promise – the initial palate presence is one of juniper oil, peat smoked barley, salted biscuits, light iodine, crushed cinnamon, then on the second phase the citrus flavours of grapefruit, tangerine, honeyed lemon together with the sweetness of pear & pineapple add a whole new dimension to the complexity of the spirit. The fruits balance the marine notes; the oaky nutty ginger flavours combat the peat and the citrus helps cool the heat of the fire. Perfect balance.

FINISH

The heat from the peat embers will warm the soul into the wee small hours and as you awaken next morning your senses will ask: “Did that really happen?”, hoping with all your heart that it will happen again.

MOOD

Close your eyes as you inhale, you will be spiritually transported to the island of great distillers, with a terroir unique and natural where the never-ending call of the sea is the anthem of the Ileach.

Given the damp, chill days we've been experiencing, this may be just what's needed to force Winter out of my bones.

At a recent wine dinner, we were served a zucchini pancake with a smoked applesauce. The chef was kind enough to share his recipe. He smokes the apples whole over hickory, then peels them and roasts them with butter and brown sugar. Purée the result and you have a rich, savory applesauce that is just amazing.