Octomore 17.3 Edition Bruichladdich 132.1 ppm Single Islay Malt Whisky 60,9%

The wind on Octomore Farm comes straight off the Atlantic and finds very little to stop it. Irene's Field is the name of the barley plot, and two miles away sits the distillery that turns its harvest into some of the smokiest whisky ever poured.

Expert description

Octomore 17.3 5 year is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in 1st fill bourbon casks and 2nd fill wine casks and bottled at 60.9%. It is Edition 17.3 in Bruichladdich's Octomore Series 17, and at 132.1 ppm in the malted barley it is the most heavily peated of the 2026 releases.

Everything happens on Islay. The barley is 100% Concerto from the 2019 harvest, grown in Irene's Field on Octomore Farm. It was distilled in 2020 at Bruichladdich Distillery, then matured and bottled on site, non-chill filtered and with no added colour. The back label calls it The Impossible Equation and sets out age, cask types, barley origin and variety like a sum on a blackboard. Adam Hannett's signature sits on the bottle on behalf of the distillery.

Five years in wood, no more. The bourbon casks are 1st fill and bring vanilla and coconut. The rest is 2nd fill European oak that previously held Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein and Syrah, and those casks add sweetness, ripe fruit and dark spice on top of the smoke instead of pushing it aside.

Tasting notes

Nose

Coastal peat with salt, tar and a medicinal edge underneath. Above it sit salted caramel, smoked apple, green apple and pear, lemon zest, marzipan and vanilla cream. Give it a few minutes in the glass and beach bonfire and dried apricots appear.

Palate

Full-bodied and firm, with pepper from the first sip. Salted caramel, toasted coconut and praline arrive first. Then charred peat takes over, dry and ashy, with a mineral saltiness running right through.

Finish

Long, dry and smoky. Citrus oil and sea salt linger, and in the end only earthy peat is left, staying with you well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Octomore 17.3 5 year Islay Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 60.9%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill bourbon and 2nd fill casks from Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein and Syrah
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2020
Edition: 17.3
EAN no.: 5055807422031

Flavour profile

Super heavily peated · Smoky · Salty · Caramel · Fruity · Spicy

Investment potential

Medium. Octomore appears in limited annual series, and at 132.1 ppm the 17.3 is the most heavily peated in the lineup, which appeals to collectors who follow the range.

Did you know?

The 132.1 ppm figure is measured in the malted barley, not in the whisky in your glass. A good share of the phenols is lost during distilling and maturation, so what ends up in the bottle sits well below the number on the label.

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Frequently asked questions about Octomore 17.3 5 year

How heavily peated is Octomore 17.3?

The barley is malted to 132.1 ppm, which makes 17.3 the most heavily peated in Octomore Series 17. The label calls it Super Heavily Peated. For comparison, 17.1 and 17.2 both sit at 81.0 ppm.

Is Octomore 17.3 worth the money?

Yes, if you want one of the most heavily peated whiskies around in an edition with an unusual cask mix. The barley is grown on Islay, everything happens at a single distillery, and the whisky is bottled non-chill filtered with no added colour. Octomore comes in limited annual series from a distillery with a strong reputation, so a particular edition can be hard to find again.

What is the difference between Octomore 17.3 and 17.1?

17.3 is far more heavily peated and has a more layered cask mix. 17.1 is 81.0 ppm, matured in 1st fill bourbon barrels at 59.7%, while 17.3 is 132.1 ppm at 60.9% with bourbon and wine casks from Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein and Syrah. Both are five years old and made from Concerto barley.

Should I add water to Octomore 17.3?

A little water helps at 60.9%. Start with a few drops and watch the smoke open up while the sweeter caramel and fruit notes come forward. A tulip-shaped glass keeps the aromas together, and you will find a selection of whisky glasses with us.

What food goes with Octomore 17.3?

Grilled pork, dark chocolate and smoked cheese are a good start. The salty, smoky style can stand up to strong flavours, and the caramel and fruit notes meet the bitterness of the chocolate. Avoid delicate dishes, or they will disappear in the smoke.

Why is Irene's Field named on the bottle?

Because all the barley for 17.3 is 100% Concerto from the 2019 harvest, grown in that one field on Octomore Farm, two miles from Bruichladdich Distillery. That makes the whisky an expression of a single place on Islay, which is why both the field and the barley variety are printed on the label.

What kind of whisky is Octomore?

Octomore is Bruichladdich's series of super heavily peated Islay whiskies, named after Octomore Farm, where the barley for 17.3 is grown. Every edition is a limited bottling. If you like the style, take a look at our Islay Whisky range too.