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 — a profile some folks (myself included) are enamored by! Today, I’m reviewing the brand known for making the peatiest Scotches commercially available: Octomore, specifically the “15” series released in 2024. Octomore is produced at the Bruichladdich Distillery, more typically known for its unpeated Scotch whisky.
The 15 series has 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 predominantly matured in Bourbon barrels. The .2 editions are also 100% mainland barley, but the cask type changes to European casks from wines or Cognac. The .3 editions use Octomore Farm single-estate barley grown 100% on Islay.
Octomore 15.1 — 108.2 PPM | 59.1% ABV
Matured in 72% first-fill Bourbon Barrels and 28% ex-bourbon casks.
Appearance: Pale, off-yellow white gold
Nose: Smoked brisket, smoked malt, lemon squares, beef jerky, saffron, rosewater
Palate: Bitter, juniper, smoked sea salt, liquid smoke, hint of butterscotch
Octomore 15.2 — 108.2 PPM | 57.9% ABV
42% second-fill wine casks, remainder in second-fill Bourbon casks, recasked into first-fill Cognac in 2023.
Appearance: Pale, off-yellow white gold
Nose: Cognac sweetness, warm wood smoke, raspberries, raspberry chocolate cake
Palate: Salted caramel, smoked sausage, black pepper, saffron, marzipan, Angostura bitters
Octomore 15.3 — 307.2 PPM | 61.3% ABV
69% first-fill Bourbon casks and 31% Oloroso hogsheads from Bodegas Fernando de Castilla in Jerez, Spain.
Appearance: Slightly off-yellow gold
Nose: Soft smoked beef jerky, vanilla cupcake, Bird’s English Custard, blackberry, Christmas cake spices
Palate: Big and rich — meaty and oily. Sandalwood, salted vanilla, smoked vanilla, red velvet cake, hint of Oloroso sweetness
Final Thoughts
15.3 is my favorite of the lot — but they’re all solid Scotch whiskies. Not everyone will love a smoky sherry bomb, and that’s okay.
Originally published on Wine & Whiskey Globe. Samples received from Octomore and Bruichladdich.