Bruichladdich Octomore 17.2 Super Heavily Peated 700ML

Bruichladdich Octomore 17.2 Super Heavily Peated 700ML is a 59.5% ABV Islay single malt Scotch whisky peated to 81.0 PPM, bottled in a 700ml format. This release stands out in the 17 Series for its unprecedented cask combination: second-fill French oak that previously held Californian red wine and bourbon, followed by a finish in first-fill Port barriques, a maturation path Bruichladdich confirms has never been used for Octomore spirit before.

Quick Facts: ABV: 59.5% (119 Proof)  |  Origin: Islay, Scotland  |  Age: 5 Years  |  Distillery: Bruichladdich  |  Phenol Level: 81.0 PPM

Production & Heritage

Bruichladdich Distillery, located on the Rhinns of Islay, produces the Octomore range using tall, narrow-necked copper pot stills that encourage a spirit with more body and complexity than the phenol level alone might suggest. The 17.2 was distilled in 2020 from 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto barley harvested in 2019, the same batch used for the companion 17.1 expression. What separates the two is entirely down to wood: the 17.2 spent four years in those second-fill French oak casks before moving into first-fill Port barriques, then was brought to near cask strength with Octomore Spring water from Islay. It is non-chill filtered with no added color, and every stage from mashing to bottling took place on Islay.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep peat smoke arrives first, layered with floral notes and a Turkish Delight sweetness. Underneath that, citrus peel and ripe berry fruit emerge as the glass opens up.

Taste: The entry is intensely smoky but not one-dimensional. Mid-palate, red fruit and blackcurrant preserve push forward alongside peppery spice. As it develops, the Port cask influence becomes clear, adding a jammy richness that holds the peat in check.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering smoke, cracked pepper, and a subtle berry sweetness. The high ABV gives the finish real staying power without turning hot, a sign of the distillery's careful cask management.

How to Drink Octomore 17.2

Neat with a few drops of water is the most rewarding way to experience this whisky. At 59.5% ABV, a splash of water opens the fruit and floral layers without drowning the peat. A Penicillin works well here, where the smoke and berry notes complement the honey-ginger framework. A Blood and Sand is another strong match, since the Port-cask fruit character plays naturally alongside cherry and sweet vermouth. For a simpler serve, try it in a Smoky Highball with chilled soda and a strip of orange peel, letting the citrus and peat lead.

Best For

• Collectors tracking each annual Octomore series release
• Gifting a peat-obsessed Scotch drinker something genuinely rare
• Side-by-side tastings with the 17.1 to explore how cask type reshapes identical spirit
• After-dinner sipping when you want something with weight and complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Octomore 17.2 taste like? It leads with deep peat smoke and peppery spice, followed by ripe red fruit and blackcurrant preserve from the Port cask finish. Floral and citrus notes add brightness underneath the smoke.

How does Octomore 17.2 compare to Ardbeg Supernova? Both are limited-release, near-cask-strength Islay single malts at the extreme end of peat intensity. The key difference is the 17.2's Port barrique finish, which introduces a red fruit and berry sweetness that Supernova's more classically maritime profile does not share.

Is Octomore 17.2 good for sipping neat? Yes, it is bottled at near cask strength specifically to be enjoyed neat or with a small addition of water. The non-chill filtered, natural-color bottling preserves the full range of flavor from the cask.

Where is Octomore 17.2 made? It is distilled, matured, and bottled entirely at Bruichladdich Distillery on the island of Islay, on Scotland's west coast. The barley is sourced from the Scottish mainland.

What foods pair well with Octomore 17.2? Smoked salmon or smoked mackerel, where smoke meets smoke. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage to stand up to the peat. Blue cheese such as Roquefort, whose saltiness contrasts the berry sweetness. Grilled lamb chops seasoned with black pepper. Dried figs or dates to echo the Port cask fruit.

What sizes does Octomore 17.2 come in? The standard release is a 700ml bottle.

Is Octomore 17.2 worth the price? It sits firmly in the ultra-premium tier of single malt Scotch. The unique, unrepeatable cask combination, limited annual production, and 59.5% ABV bottling strength position it as a specialist release rather than an everyday dram, and pricing reflects that exclusivity.

Why Octomore 17.2?

The defining feature of this release is a cask program that has never been applied to Octomore spirit before: French oak that held both Californian red wine and bourbon, followed by first-fill Port barriques. That layered maturation turns what could be a straightforward peat bomb into something with real fruit depth, floral complexity, and spice. It shares its barley DNA with the 17.1, making it one of the clearest demonstrations in Scotch of how much influence wood selection has on the final whisky. Each Octomore series is produced once and never repeated, so once the 17.2 allocation is gone, this particular combination of barley, peat level, and cask type is finished.