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Octomore 5 years

malty woody
4.2
(26)€881Scotland, Islay, Single Malt

Flavours

Whisky character

Fresh
Warm
Mild
Full
Smooth
Spicy

Taste mentions

Facts

Octomore takes its name from a vanished farmstead distillery that once stood near Bruichladdich on Islay's western shore. It also nods to Octomore Farm, still nearby today. Bruichladdich revived the marque in 2002 to push peat further than any other Scotch. Yet it kept the spirit's underlying softness intact. This bottling is young in spirit, punchy, and unapologetic. Barley sweetness and lemon zest arrive first. Then comes a wave of iodine, medicinal smoke, and peppery spice. Cream and orange linger underneath the smoke. No colouring is added, so what you taste is exactly what came off the still. Drink it neat, slowly, and let the smoke unfold.

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4.2 /5

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About the distillery

Distillery

Octomore

Octomore is a well-known distillery located on the island of Islay in Scotland. The distillery is owned by Bruichladdich, a renowned producer of single malt scotch whiskies. Octomore is known for its distinctive peated whiskies, which have a reputation for being some of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world. The name Octomore comes from the farm that the distillery is built on, which was originally called Octomore Farm. The distillery was established in 2002, and its first release was a 3-year-old whisky that was heavily peated, with a phenol content of 80 parts per million (ppm). Since then, Octomore has become known for its experimentation with different levels of peating, with some releases reaching over 300 ppm.

4.1Average rating

46Whiskies on Distilld

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Islay

Most popular whiskies from Octomore

About the Octomore 5 years

Octomore 5 years is a single malt Scotch whisky distilled on Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. It carries an intense 61% ABV, bottled at cask strength with no colouring added. Octomore built its name as one of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world. This five-year expression shows why. Expect a rush of barley sweetness, lemon, and fresh fruit up front. Then iodine, medicinal smoke, and peppery spice take over, backed by cream and orange. Bruichladdich distillery revived the Octomore name in 2002 for a project built entirely around peat. The name comes from a farmstead distillery that once stood nearby, remembered today in Octomore Farm. Standard Islay malts sit around 40 ppm of phenols. Octomore has run far higher every year since. It sometimes passes 100 ppm, while somehow keeping the spirit soft rather than harsh. That contrast, brutal smoke paired with real gentleness, is what built the reputation. Octomore 5 years channels that same idea into an approachable, youthful package. Pour Octomore 5 years neat and give it a minute to open. The nose leans into iodine and medicinal smoke, backed by malty barley and a nutty edge. On the palate, oily texture carries brown sugar and grape sweetness through the peat. Apple and banana add a fruity lift, while oaky notes and a peppery finish keep things grounded. It drinks younger and rowdier than older Octomore releases, which is part of the appeal. This is a whisky for someone who wants smoke without apology. Enjoy Octomore 5 years neat, in a tulip glass, to catch the smoke and fruit together. Its high strength means a little goes a long way, but the underlying sweetness keeps it approachable. This bottling rewards patience: give it time in the glass before the first sip. Fans of big, peaty Islay whisky will find plenty to love here, alongside real complexity for the price. Octomore built its name on ppm records, but Octomore 5 years proves the smoke was never the only point.