Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 15.1 Scotch Whisky
Bruichladdich Octomore Edition 15.1 Scotch Whisky is the backbone of the 15th Octomore series — the 'no frills' expression that shows super-heavily-peated spirit (108.2 ppm) aged the simplest way: 5 years in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels and re-charred ex-bourbon casks. Distilled in 2018 from the 2017 Scottish mainland Concerto barley harvest, it is bottled at 59.1% ABV in a 700mL bottle. This is Octomore raw and uncompromising: earthy peat smoke wrapped around vanilla custard, tropical fruit and charred oak. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 118.2 proof (59.1% ABV)
- Size: 700mL
- Age: 5 years (distilled 2018, 2017 harvest)
- Peat: super-heavily peated at 108.2 ppm phenols
- Casks: first-fill bourbon barrels + re-charred ex-bourbon casks
- Origin: Bruichladdich Distillery, Isle of Islay, Scotland
Raw, Honest, Uncompromising
Head distiller Adam Hannett calls the 15.1 a moment to "pause, reflect, question, and push our boundaries" — and it earns the description. With nothing but bourbon oak and peat to work with, the 5-year-old spirit shows off Octomore's strange magic: the heaviest-peated barley in the world somehow lands elegant, the smoke sitting in balance with sweet malt and fruit. If you want to understand what Octomore is, start here. Browse the Bruichladdich collection, explore more Scotch whisky, and shop the full whiskey shelf at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Caramel and vibrant citrus open on the nose, wrapped in dry, earthy peat smoke, with spicy aniseed, vanilla and smooth custard behind. The palate brings heat balanced by sweet dry malt — mango, banana and apricot jam cutting through the smoke, rounded with vanilla custard and toffee. The finish is long: peat smoke, vanilla and sweet charred oak with a fresh marine crispness.
How to Enjoy
Neat first, always. A few drops of water tame the 118.2-proof heat and bring subtle marine notes and warm sand to the surface. Smoke devotees can also pit it against 15.2 in a side-by-side — same spirit, different wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Octomore 15.1's peat level?
Malted to 108.2 phenol parts per million — super-heavily peated.
How old is Octomore 15.1?
5 years old, distilled in 2018 from the 2017 barley harvest.
Is Octomore 15.1 cask strength?
It is bottled at 59.1% ABV uncut, but Bruichladdich does not market it as cask strength — call it high-proof.
Shop Bruichladdich Octomore 15.1 online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA — the purest expression of the peat experiment.