In the outer Hebrides of Scotland lies an island known for making the most polarizing whisky on Earth. Islay is the home of peated Scotch whisky, which for those unfamiliar with it, tastes like bandaids and burnt rubber and some folks (myself included) are enamored by it! Today we’re going to be reviewing the brand known for making the peatiest Scotches commercially available, Octomore; specifically the 17 series that came out today in the US. Octomore is produced at the Bruichladdich Distillery which is more typically known for unpeated Scotch whisky.
The series can be broken down into three main product lines, the .1, .2, and .3 editions.
The .1 editions are always distilled from 100% Scottish barley grown on the mainland, and mostly matured in Bourbon barrels.
The .2 editions are also 100% mainland barley but the cask type changes to have a focus on European casks from wines, or cognac.
The .3 editions are made using Octomore Farm single estate barley grown 100% on Islay. The cask types for edition .3 are a blend of editions .1 and .2, American and European oaks.
Now that we’ve broken down the facts about Octomore, let’s dive into the 2026 17 series!
17.1:
This is clocking in at 59.7% ABV, malted to 81 ppm, 5 years old, and is full term maturation in first-fill bourbon barrels.
Colour: In glass this presents as a pale yellow gold
Nose: Warm, heather, sausage, honey glazed ham, soft notes of barley, honey, fresh and baked apples.
Palate: Oaky, lots of charcoal, soft smoke, toffee, vanilla. Raspberry, blueberry, baked cherries.
Purchase Octomore 17.1 on LoveScotch!
17.2:
This is clocking in at 59.5% ABV, malted to 81 ppm, 5 years old, and is matured for four years in second fill french oak casks that aged California red wine,then bourbon before aging Octomore fand then finished in first fill Port Barriques.
Colour: Toasted honey
Nose: Sea salt caramel, subtle smokiness, stewed raspberry,
Palate: Liquified charcoal, strawberry syrup, vanilla, toasted honey.
Buy Octomore 17.2 from LoveScotch!
17.3:
Made with 100% Scottish Islay Concerto barley grown on Islay at Octomore Farm. Malted to 132.1 ppm, and just like 17.1 and 17.2, this is aged for five years. Matured in a cuvee of first fill bourbon barrels and second fill Ribera Del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein, and Syrah. This is clocking in at 60.9% ABV
Colour: A light yellow gold
Nose: Notes of cigar ash, bbq wood, honeysuckle, vanilla banana pudding, very pungent beef, strawberry shortcake.
Palate: Burnt wood, flaky sea salt/finishing salt, a touch of beefiness, followed by a super bright orange oil on the edges of the mid palate. A soft touch of vanilla, and the barest breadth of shortbread.
Buy Octomore 17.3 from LoveScotch!
Thank you so much to my friends at Bruichladdich and Octomore for making it possible for me to review this year’s releases! The presence, or absence, of a sample does not affect my reviews. All reviews are honest, written by me, and are free of AI.
Additionally, if you make a purchase based off of the links in this review I may make a commission.