Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay has built a reputation for pushing boundaries, and nowhere is that more clear than with its Octomore series … the world’s most heavily peated Scotch whiskies. This fall, the distillery is rolling out its latest collection, Octomore Series 16, which includes four distinct bottlings: 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, and a final release, 16.4, coming in November.

What Makes Octomore Different

For those new to the series, Octomore is all about intensity. Each release is made with Islay-grown barley, malted to extremely high peat levels, then distilled, matured, and bottled entirely on the island. Nothing is chill-filtered, no color is added, and the whisky is brought to strength with natural spring water from Octomore farm. The goal isn’t just smoke for smoke’s sake … it’s to show how peat interacts with casks, barley, and place.

A Look at the Lineup

The first three whiskies … 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3 … launched on Sept. 2, and are available online and through specialist whisky retailers.

• 16.1 is the “reference point” of the series, aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It’s straightforward Octomore: big smoke, high strength, and a pure expression of heavily peated spirit.
• 16.2 layers in complexity by combining Oloroso sherry and Bordeaux casks, then finishing in Madeira and Moscatel. Expect fruit, spice, and a rich, nutty sweetness alongside the smoke.
• 16.3 focuses on terroir, using barley grown on Islay itself. The distiller says it “evokes a sense of place,” with earthy, cereal-forward notes balanced by cask influence.

Together, these three whiskies set the stage for the final release … Octomore 16.4.

The Grand Finale: Octomore 16.4

Arriving on Nov. 4th, Octomore 16.4 will only be available online and directly from the distillery. This bottling is one of the most powerful yet, malted to 189.5 PPM and bottled at a fiery 62.6% ABV.

What makes it unique is its cask journey: second-fill bourbon barrels followed by French virgin oak. The result is a whisky that balances raw peat power with elegance from the oak. Tasting notes include toasted wood, roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, and a touch of sweet smoke, all underpinned by the earthy depth of Islay barley.

Why It Matters

Octomore isn’t just about being the smokiest whisky, it’s about showing how bold peat can still reveal layers of flavor and nuance. Series 16 proves that point, offering everything from clean bourbon-cask intensity to sherry sweetness, farm-driven terroir, and a finale that ties it all together with French oak sophistication.

How to Get It

• Octomore 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 – available now at bruichladdich.com