Bruichladdich Octomore 17.1 - 70cl/59.7%

Distillery history:Bruichladdich Distillery was founded on Islay in 1881, closed in the 1990s and reopened in 2001. Octomore was developed in the early 2000s by Jim McEwan and the team as the super-heavily peated style, known for extreme phenol levels and precise distillation. The first release appeared around 2008, emphasising balance between peat and fruit.

Whisky notes:This is Octomore 17.1, the reference expression of Series 17. It is made from 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley peated to 81.0 PPM and fully matured for five years in first-fill bourbon barrels. Bottled at 59.7% ABV, non-chill filtered and with no added colour. As the .1 release, it serves as the series benchmark, contrasting clean peat with bourbon-cask sweetness.

Tasting notes:Nosing: sweet malt, vanilla custard and toasted coconut, with citrus and light peat smoke and sea breeze.Palate: rich and creamy, with vanilla milkshake and pear drops, peat and ash building.Finish: long and drying, with mineral, warm embers and light salinity.