Peat lovers rejoice! Bruichladdich has just announced the launch of the 14th edition of the annual Octomore series of heavily peated Scotch whisky. Notorious for being bottled at a high proof and with extreme levels of peat smoke, the Octomore series has earned a devoted following of drinkers who are drawn to bold and uncompromising whisky.

The first three Octomore releases will be available globally this September from whisky retailers everywhere, with the 14.4 rounding out the series as a distillery-only exclusive in early 2024. Each bottle in this year’s collection is made entirely from Scottish barley, and malted, distilled, and aged on the island of Islay.

Full release notes from the distillery are below:

Octomore 14.1

All Octomore .1 editions are distilled from 100% Scottish barley. They are primarily aged in ex-American oak, in varying percentages of either ex-bourbon or ex-Tennessee whiskey casks. The .1’s are the backbone of each new Octomore series, as they demonstrate the raw character of the spirit, balanced with the modest ex-American whiskey influence.

14.1 distillery notes:

• Distilled in 2017 from the 2016 harvest of 100% Scottish grown Concerto barley  
• Malted to 128.9 PPM 
• Full term maturation in first fill ex American whiskey casks   
• Matured entirely on Islay for five years  
• Bottled at 59.6%
• Bottled un-chill filtered and colouring free at Bruichladdich Distillery  
• Key tasting notes: smoked vanilla, sweet caramel and subtle spice

Octomore 14.2

As with their .1 counterparts, all Octomore .2 single malts are distilled from 100% Scottish barley. The main point of difference is that the .2 spirit has spent its maturation life in a combination of Oloroso and Amarone casks.

14.2 distillery notes:

• Distilled in 2017 from the 2016 harvest of 100% Scottish grown Concerto barley  
• Malted to 128.9 PPM 
• Full term maturation in a combination of first fill Oloroso hogsheads (40%), first fill Amarone casks (16%) and second fill Amarone casks (44%)
• Matured entirely on Islay for five years  
• Bottled at 57.7%
• Bottled un-chill filtered and colouring free at Bruichladdich Distillery  
• Key tasting notes: signature peat smoke balanced with rich, red fruits

Octomore 14.3

Like all Octomore .3 editions, the 14.3 is distilled from 100% locally grown, Islay barley. Capturing the unique terroir of the island, the barley is grown on Octomore farm, around two miles south of Bruichladdich Distillery. The name for the Octomore range originates from this farm, and like most of the .3’s, Octomore 14.3 is matured in a combination of ex American and ex European oak casks (50% first fill ex American and 50% second fill wine casks).

14.3 distillery notes:

• Distilled in 2017 from the 2016 harvest of 100% Concerto Islay barley, grown at the eponymous Octomore farm
• Malted to 214.2 PPM 
• Full term maturation in a combination of first fill ex American whiskey casks (50%) and second fill wine casks (50%)
• Matured entirely on Islay for five years  
• Bottled at 61.4%
• Bottled un-chill filtered and colouring free at Bruichladdich Distillery  
• Key tasting notes: malty biscuit, butterscotch, honeycomb and a hint of vanilla – wrapped in smouldering peat smoke