Bruichladdich – Octomore Edition 15.1 5 Year Old (70cl, 59.1%)

Octomore Edition 15.1 is a super heavily peated Islay single malt from Bruichladdich, and the first expression in the 15th annual Octomore series. It was distilled in 2018 from 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley of the 2017 harvest, with a phenol level of 108.2 parts per million. The whisky spent five years in first-fill bourbon barrels and re-charred ex-bourbon casks, and is bottled at 59.1% ABV in a 70cl bottle. The nose combines caramel and citrus with dry, earthy peat smoke, then aniseed, vanilla custard, tropical fruit, geranium and ginger. On the palate, sweet malt and smoke sit alongside mango, banana, apricot jam and toffee. The finish keeps peat smoke, vanilla and charred oak, with a fresh marine note.