Octomore 17.1 5 Year Old

Produced at Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay, Octomore is the world's most heavily peated single malt whisky, defined not by age but by the extraordinary peat levels achieved through Bruichladdich's commitment to provenance, transparency and craft. Each edition in the series is built around a distinct combination of barley origin, peat level and cask type, with the 17 Series presenting the Chromatic Signatures collection. Edition 17.1 opens the 17 Series with a marriage of smoke and char drawn from full-term maturation in first-fill bourbon barrels. Distilled from 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley malted to 81.0 PPM and aged for 5 years, it is an exercise in refinement and control, where profound and balanced smoke demonstrates Octomore's signature interplay of intensity and finesse. Bottled at cask strength without chill filtration. Tasting Notes by Bruichladdich: Nose: Clean and precise at first, opening on sweet malt and creamy vanilla custard. Charred American oak brings toasted coconut and butterscotch, while delicate citrus peel and green melon lend freshness. Smoke rises gently rather than dominates — glowing peat embers and the distant memory of a beach bonfire carried on a salty Atlantic breeze. With time, floral barley notes, soft ginger spice and a distinct minerality emerge, anchoring the dram in its coastal origin. Palate: Texture leads the experience — viscous, mouth-coating and richly sweet. The high strength brings peppery heat without force. Vanilla milkshake, Scottish tablet and warm custard tart meet pear drops and malt syrup. The peat builds in waves: dry, earthy smoke then smouldering oak and ash, with Octomore’s signature balance. Salinity cuts through the sweetness, creating clarity with hints of coconut and gentle oak spice adding depth. Finish: Long and evolving. Sweetness fades to dry minerality, then lingering peat smoke and warm embers. Maritime salt and soft char persist, leaving a powerful, resonant smokiness that belies the spirit’s elegance.