Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 17.3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 17.3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700mL) is the single-farm expression in this year's Octomore lineup, built for drinkers who want to taste exactly where their peat came from, down to the field.

Process & Profile

Bottled at 60.9% ABV (121.8 proof) with a phenol level of 132.1 PPM, 17.3 is matured for five years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels finished across four second-fill European wine casks: Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein, and Syrah. Where 17.1 and 17.2 use mainland Concerto barley, 17.3 is distilled entirely from grain grown on Irene's Field at Octomore Farm, about two miles from the distillery. It's bottled un-chill filtered, with no added color, using Bruichladdich's own Islay spring water — a distillery that mothballed in 1994, was bought out of closure in December 2000 by a group led by Mark Reynier, and reopened in 2001 after the original Victorian equipment was dismantled and rebuilt piece by piece rather than replaced. It still runs largely without computers, tracking mash and cut points by dipstick and hydrometer under head distiller Adam Hannett.

On the nose, salted caramel, smoked apple, toasted coconut, praline, and vanilla cream sit ahead of the smoke, softer and sweeter than the PPM number suggests.

On the palate, orchard fruit and honey layer under a wall of campfire smoke, with the estate barley's mineral, earthy edge cutting through the sweetness.

The finish runs long and smoky, with the wine casks leaving a dried-fruit warmth that lingers after the peat fades.

Within the Octomore range, 17.3 is the outlier: 17.1 and 17.2 hold at 81 PPM and lean on smoke purity and Port-cask fruit, while 17.3 pushes to 132.1 PPM yet reads calmer and sweeter, proof that terroir and cask selection can outweigh raw phenol count.

Serve neat in a Glencairn to let the caramel and coconut notes open up, or alongside grilled stone fruit and blue cheese to match its sweetness against the smoke.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this whisky?
It's the 700mL, single-farm edition of Bruichladdich's Octomore series, an Islay single malt distilled entirely from barley grown on one field near the distillery.

What are the specs?
60.9% ABV, 121.8 proof, 132.1 PPM, 5 years old, matured in first-fill bourbon and second-fill Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein, and Syrah casks, 700mL bottle.

What does it taste like?
Salted caramel, smoked apple, and toasted coconut on the nose; orchard fruit and honey under heavy campfire smoke on the palate; a long, smoky, dried-fruit finish.

How should you enjoy it?
Neat in a Glencairn glass, paired with grilled stone fruit or a strong blue cheese.

Why is this release notable?
It's distilled from a single, named field two miles from the distillery, giving it more traceability than almost any other Scotch on the shelf.