Octomore

Octomore is one of the most radical and iconic whisky brands in the world. It comes from the Bruichladdich distillery on the island of Islay, which is known for its progressive approach and emphasis on terroir. Octomore has earned a reputation as "the peatiest whisky in the world," but at the same time proves that extreme phenol content can go hand in hand with surprising smoothness and elegance.

The name Octomore comes from an old farm and a now defunct distillery located near Bruichladdich on Islay. When the Bruichladdich distillery reopened in 2001 (after years of inactivity), its team decided to experiment with peat and push the boundaries of what is possible in whisky.

The first Octomore bottling came out in 2008 and immediately attracted attention – not only for its extremely high phenol (ppm) content, but also for its quality and complexity.

Octomore is made from barley dried with an extreme amount of peat smoke. The phenol content (ppm – parts per million) regularly reaches 100 to over 300 ppm, which is several times higher than classic Islay whiskies such as Laphroaig (around 40 ppm) or Ardbeg (around 55 ppm).

Each "generation" of whisky is designated by a number (e.g., 10.x, 11.x, 12.x).
Each series has 3-4 main bottlings:
.1 → the basic version, always made from classic Scottish barley, matured mainly in bourbon barrels.
.2 → specially for travel retail, often matured in various wine casks.
.3 → "Islay Barley", i.e. barley grown exclusively on the island of Islay.
.4 → experimental versions (cask strength, virgin oak, special casks).

Nevertheless, Octomore does not present itself as just a "smoke bomb." Thanks to skillful distillation and maturation, it can be surprisingly balanced – smoke is dominant, but fruity, malty, floral, and winey notes also appear.

Despite its extreme strength, most Octomore whiskies are young (5-7 years), which emphasizes the freshness and strength of the peat. It is considered Bruichladdich's "laboratory" – each edition tries out new combinations of casks, barley, and intensity. Some versions of Octomore have set records as the world's most peaty whiskeys, with values above 300 ppm. Octomore bottles are known for their minimalist black design, which underlines their modern character.

Octomore is a whiskey that pushes boundaries and breaks down prejudices. It's not just about extreme smoke, but about showing that even the seemingly uncontrollable power of peat can be transformed into something balanced, sophisticated, and beautiful. For Islay lovers, Octomore is one of the ultimate experiences - a symbol of courage, experimentation, and modern whisky philosophy.