🥃🥃 Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Deep amber, noticeably richer in color than the bourbon-matured 17.1, reflecting the influence of French oak and first-fill Port barriques.
Aroma:
Rich and immediately fruit-forward, opening with ripe red fruits and soft jammy sweetness. Raspberry and blackcurrant preserve combine with floral notes reminiscent of Turkish Delight before toasted oak, clove, and anise begin to emerge.
The smoke is comparatively restrained at first—more dry wood fire and smoldering embers than aggressive phenolic smoke. Barley flour, leather, coastal iodine, coconut, and warming ginger gradually develop as the whisky rests.
Palate:
Viscous, rich, fruity, smoky, and exceptionally concentrated:
Wine-poached berries immediately coat the palate
Strawberry provides ripe red-fruit sweetness
Blackberry contributes darker berry character
Cassis adds concentrated blackcurrant richness
Barley sugars preserve the underlying malt character
Dark syrup adds depth and viscosity
Port casks amplify the fruit concentration
Clove introduces warming spice
Pepper builds alongside the peat
Lemon zest provides brightness
Lime oils add fresh citrus intensity
French oak introduces structure and tannin
Earthy peat smoke steadily increases through the mid-palate
Maritime salinity cuts through the fruit sweetness
81.0 PPM provides substantial smoky structure
59.5% ABV delivers enormous concentration
Water reveals additional berries, malt, citrus, spice, and smoke
Finish:
Long, luxurious, and beautifully evolving, with raisins, toasted oak, sweet malt, dark berries, maritime salt, char, and persistent peat smoke.
As the rich fruit gradually recedes, the underlying Octomore character becomes increasingly apparent. Dry smoke, soft spice, oak char, and coastal salinity remain long after the sweeter Port influence has disappeared.
Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 17.2 is a compelling demonstration of how dramatically cask selection can reshape heavily peated whisky.
By taking the same 81.0 PPM Scottish Concerto barley used for 17.1 and introducing an unprecedented maturation involving French oak, Californian red wine influence, bourbon influence, and first-fill Port barriques, Bruichladdich transforms the spirit from the vanilla-and-malt-driven character of 17.1 into something darker, fruitier, spicier, and more decadent.
For collectors and enthusiasts of Octomore, Bruichladdich, heavily peated Islay whisky, Port-cask Scotch, high-proof single malt, and experimental cask maturation, Octomore 17.2 is both an essential component of Series 17 and a fascinating standalone expression of the Octomore philosophy.
Description
Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 17.2 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700mL) — 5 Year | 81 PPM | 119 Proof | French Oak & First-Fill Port Cask Finish
Discover the fruit-driven, cask-focused side of super-heavily peated Islay whisky with Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 17.2, an extraordinary 5 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky combining massive peat intensity with an unprecedented French oak and Port cask maturation program.
Released as part of the 2026 Octomore Series 17, Edition 17.2 begins with exactly the same batch of 100% Scottish mainland-grown Concerto barley used to create Octomore 17.1.
Both whiskies are peated to 81.0 PPM.
Both are aged for 5 years.
But that's where their paths dramatically separate.
While Octomore 17.1 uses straightforward first-fill bourbon maturation to showcase the spirit itself, 17.2 is the cask-driven expression of the series, designed to demonstrate just how dramatically different oak and wine influence can transform the same heavily peated distillate.
Octomore 17.2 spent its first four years in second-fill French oak casks with an extraordinary history: the oak previously matured Californian red wine, followed by bourbon, before finally being filled with Octomore. The whisky was then transferred into first-fill Port barriques for its finishing maturation.
Bruichladdich had never previously matured Octomore using this exact combination of casks.
The result is a spectacular collision of ripe red berries, Port richness, dark fruit, pepper, citrus oils, toasted oak, maritime salinity, and powerful earthy peat smoke.
Bottled at an imposing 59.5% ABV (119 Proof), Octomore 17.2 demonstrates exactly why the .2 expression has become such an anticipated component of every Octomore series.
🥃 Product Details
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brand: Octomore
Producer: Bruichladdich Distillery
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Edition: Octomore 17.2
Series: Octomore Series 17
Release Year: 2026
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Bottle Size: 700mL
Age: 5 Years
Barley: 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto Barley
Barley Harvest: 2019
Distilled: 2020
Malting: Super-Heavily Peated
Peat Level: 81.0 PPM
Initial Maturation: 4 Years
Initial Casks: Second-Fill French Oak
Previous Cask Use: Californian Red Wine → Bourbon → Octomore
Finish: First-Fill Port Barriques
ABV: 59.5%
Proof: 119 Proof
Style: Super-Heavily Peated
Series Role: Cask-Focused .2 Expression
Character: Raspberry, Blackcurrant, Strawberry, Cassis, Port Fruit, Citrus, Clove, Toasted Oak, Earthy Peat & Maritime Salt
🥃 The 17.2 Cask Experiment
The key to understanding Octomore 17.2 is comparing it directly with Octomore 17.1.
Bruichladdich intentionally begins both expressions with the same batch of Scottish Concerto barley malted to exactly 81.0 PPM.
Edition 17.1 is matured entirely in first-fill bourbon barrels.
Edition 17.2 takes that same raw material and places it into a radically different oak environment.
For its first four years, 17.2 rested in second-fill French oak casks with an unusually complex history. The French oak had previously held Californian red wine, then bourbon, before being used to mature Octomore.
The whisky was subsequently transferred into first-fill Port barriques.
That final Port influence amplifies the fruit and spice dramatically, introducing layers of berries and dark fruit while still allowing Octomore's barley and signature peat smoke to remain unmistakably present.
🥃 17.1 vs. 17.2
The comparison between these two whiskies is one of the most fascinating aspects of Series 17.
Octomore 17.1
- 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto Barley
- 81.0 PPM
- 5 Years Old
- 59.7% ABV
- First-Fill Bourbon Barrels
- Vanilla, Custard, Pear, Malt, Smoke & Salinity
Octomore 17.2
- Same Scottish Mainland Concerto Barley
- Same 81.0 PPM
- Same 5 Year Age Statement
- 59.5% ABV
- French Oak & First-Fill Port Barriques
- Red Berries, Cassis, Dark Fruit, Citrus, Spice, Smoke & Salinity
The experiment allows the drinker to experience how profoundly cask selection alone can transform essentially the same heavily peated spirit.
⭐ Why You'll Love It
- Official Octomore Series 17 release
- Super-heavily peated Islay Single Malt
- 5-year age statement
- Peated to 81.0 PPM
- 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley
- Same barley batch as Octomore 17.1
- Barley harvested in 2019
- Distilled in 2020
- Unique multi-stage cask maturation
- Four years in second-fill French oak
- French oak previously held Californian red wine
- The same oak subsequently matured bourbon
- Then used to mature Octomore
- Finished in first-fill Port barriques
- First time Octomore has used this exact cask combination
- Bottled at a massive 59.5% ABV
- 119 Proof
- Rich red-fruit character
- Raspberry and blackcurrant preserve
- Strawberry, blackberry and cassis
- Clove and anise spice
- Bright lemon and lime oils
- Dry, earthy peat smoke
- Toasted oak provides structure
- Maritime salinity keeps the whisky fresh
- Exceptional contrast to Octomore 17.1
- Outstanding bottle for an Octomore Series 17 tasting
- Highly collectible annual limited release
🍽️ How to Enjoy
Octomore 17.2 rewards slow tasting and gradual dilution:
- Serve neat at room temperature
- Use a Glencairn or tulip-shaped whisky glass
- Allow 10–15 minutes for the whisky to open
- Experience the first sip neat at full strength
- Add several drops of water after the initial tasting
- Allow the whisky to rest again after adding water
- Gradually experiment with dilution to reveal additional fruit
- Compare directly with Octomore 17.1
- Complete the tasting with Octomore 17.3
- Pair with smoked duck or roasted game
- Excellent alongside smoked brisket
- Pair with grilled lamb
- Enjoy with mature blue cheese
- Pair with dark chocolate and berries
- Excellent alongside blackberry or raspberry desserts
- Try with dried figs, raisins, and toasted nuts
Do you ship to all states?
- We do NOT currently ship to the following states: Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Mississippi (MS), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Montana (MT), Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR) and Utah (UT). Please check your state’s laws before placing an order.
Do you ship on weekends or holidays?
- Orders placed on Saturday, Sunday, or holidays will be processed starting the following Monday.
Do you offer expedited shipping?
- Yes, expedited shipping options are available at checkout for faster delivery.
Can I have my order shipped to a P.O. Box or APO/FPO address?
- We cannot ship to P.O. Boxes or APO/FPO addresses. Please provide a physical address for delivery.
Yes, a signature is required for all alcohol deliveries to verify that the recipient is of legal drinking age.
Since alcohol deliveries require an adult signature, we recommend shipping to a business address to ensure the package is received without delays.
Transform your bottle into a one-of-a-kind keepsake with our personalized engraving service.
Perfect for gifts, celebrations, or commemorating special moments.
How It Works:
- Select "Premium Bottle Engraving"
- Add your message – Enter your custom text (up to 25 characters)
- We'll handle the rest – Our expert team engraves each bottle with precision
What You Can Engrave:
• Names and dates
• Special messages or quotes
• Congratulations or thank you notes
Check out the examples below to see how stunning your personalized bottle will look!
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.