Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 17.3 is the Islay-barley expression of the Octomore 17 Series, built around an unusually precise sense of provenance. Every grain of barley comes from Ireneās Field at Octomore Farm on Islay, located only about two miles from Bruichladdich Distillery. The result is a five-year-old, super-heavily peated Islay single malt designed to showcase the relationship between barley, place, peat, and cask.
Distilled in 2020 from the 2019 harvest of 100% Islay Concerto barley, Octomore 17.3 was matured for its full five years in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels and second-fill European oak casks that previously held Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein, and Syrah. Bottled at an imposing 60.9% ABV and peated to 132.1 PPM, it delivers immense smoky intensity while retaining the elegance and definition for which Octomore has become known.
The nose leads with coastal peat smoke, sea spray, tar, and medicinal smoke, followed by warm malt, brown sugar, lemon peel, green apple, pear, vanilla, marzipan, wildflowers, and coastal herbs. The palate is full and weighty, layering salted caramel, smoked apple, toasted coconut, praline, vanilla cream, citrus oils, mineral salinity, and deeply charred peat. The finish is long, dry, maritime, and persistently smoky.
Edition 17.3 is especially compelling for collectors because the .3 designation in the Octomore range represents Islay-grown barley, typically sourced from a single farm and vintage. This expression takes that idea even further with barley from a specific field, making it one of the most traceable and terroir-focused whiskies in the series.
Key Features
- Octomore Edition 17.3
- 5 Year Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- 60.9% ABV / 121.8 proof
- 132.1 PPM
- 700mL bottle
- 100% Islay-grown Concerto barley
- Barley sourced from Ireneās Field, Octomore Farm
- Distilled in 2020 from the 2019 harvest
- Super-heavily peated
- First-fill bourbon barrel maturation
- Second-fill Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein, and Syrah casks
- Single farm, single field, single vintage concept
- Coastal, smoky, fruity, saline, and richly textured
- Premium limited-edition Octomore release
- Official U.S. list price of $279.99 at time of release
Tasting Notes
Color: Sunlit gold.
Nose: Coastal peat smoke, sea spray, tar, coal smoke, warm malted grain, brown sugar, lemon peel, green apple, pear, vanilla, marzipan, marram grass, and wildflowers.
Palate: Powerful and viscous with salted caramel, smoked apple, toasted coconut, praline, vanilla cream, citrus oil, mineral salinity, sweet barley, and dry charred peat.
Finish: Long and dry with malted sweetness, soft florals, vanilla, maritime salt, earthy smoke, and persistent warming peat.
How to Enjoy
Serve Octomore 17.3 neat in a Glencairn or tulip-shaped whisky glass and allow it several minutes to open. Despite the extreme peat level and high strength, time in the glass reveals considerably more barley sweetness, fruit, vanilla, and coastal mineral character.
At 60.9% ABV, a few drops of water are particularly worthwhile. Gradual dilution can bring forward the green apple, pear, caramel, citrus, and floral notes while allowing the dense peat smoke to become more layered rather than simply intense.
For food pairing, try smoked salmon, oysters, aged cheddar, grilled lamb, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, or heavily charred meats.
FAQ
What is Octomore 17.3?
It is the Islay-barley expression in Bruichladdichās Octomore 17 Series, made from barley grown specifically in Ireneās Field at Octomore Farm.
How old is Octomore 17.3?
It is aged 5 years.
What proof is Octomore 17.3?
It is bottled at 60.9% ABV, equivalent to 121.8 proof.
How peated is it?
The malt is peated to 132.1 PPM.
Where is the barley grown?
The whisky uses 100% Islay-grown Concerto barley from Ireneās Field at Octomore Farm, approximately two miles from Bruichladdich Distillery.
What casks were used?
It matured for five years in first-fill bourbon barrels and second-fill European oak casks, including Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein, and Syrah.
What does the ā.3ā mean in Octomore?
Octomore .3 releases are traditionally made with 100% Islay-grown barley, emphasizing farm, vintage, and terroir.
What does Octomore 17.3 taste like?
Expect coastal peat smoke, salt, malt, brown sugar, green apple, pear, caramel, smoked apple, coconut, vanilla, citrus, and mineral salinity.
How does it differ from Octomore 17.1 and 17.2?
The 17.1 and 17.2 expressions use Scottish mainland barley, while 17.3 uses Islay barley from a single field at Octomore Farm. Its cask program also combines bourbon and several European wine-cask types.
