Octomore 17.1 (70cl, 59.7%)

This is Octomore 17.1, a heavily peated Islay single malt from Bruichladdich, bottled at a cask strength of 59.7% in a 70cl bottle. It is the annual edition made from 100% Scottish Concerto barley. The whisky spent five years in first-fill ex-bourbon casks of American oak. It is non-chill-filtered and free of colouring. The nose combines earthy peat smoke with vanilla cream, toasted oak, ripe pear and an Atlantic breeze. On the palate come dry wood smoke, malt syrup, vanilla milkshake and citrus, with fine oak spice. The finish is very long, marked by smouldering smoke and a salty freshness.