Duncan Taylor The Octave Islay 17 Years (70cl, 54.4%)

This is a 17 year old single cask Islay single malt from Duncan Taylor's Octave range, bottled at 54.4%. It was distilled on 20 November 2008 and bottled on 22 January 2026, after a finish in an Oloroso cask. The outturn was 76 bottles. Smoke is still strong for its age, with fruit and herbs underneath. The nose is described as an early autumn garden: marigolds and mallows, damp leaves and freshly turned beds, quince and small sour apples, all under drifting smoke from bonfires and the last grilled sausages of the season. The finish is medium in length, warming and comforting.