Bruichladdich – Octomore 17.2 (70cl, 59.5%)

Bruichladdich Octomore 17.2 is a heavily peated Islay single malt at 81 ppm, bottled at 59.5% in a 70cl bottle, non-chill-filtered and without added colouring. It was distilled in 2020 from 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley. Its maturation came in stages: first French oak casks that previously held Californian red wine, then a year in bourbon casks. After four years it moved into first-fill Port casks for a final year. The nose combines ripe red fruit, raspberry and redcurrant jam, toasted oak, clove and smouldering embers. The palate is full and smooth, with wine-poached berries, blackcurrant, lemon zest and building peppery peat. The finish is long, with raisins, sea salt and lingering peat smoke.