Jim McEwan releases Octomore 7.1 as final dram

Bruichladdich distillery is preparing to release its final expression with master distiller Jim McEwan at the helm, Octomore 7.1.

Octomore 7.1 Scottish Barley marks the final release from Bruichladdich under Jim McEwan’s leadership

The seventh annual release in the Octomore series is one of the most heavily peated in the range at 208ppm.

Originally due to launch in May, its release has been pushed back to June to coincide with the departure of McEwan.

Octomore Scottish Barley 7.1 has been created using barley harvested from mainland Scotland, rather than from Islay alone.

Matured for five years in American oak casks, the expression is bottled at 59.5% abv, and is described as having notes of smoke, soft fruits, vanilla, honey and citrus.

Octomore Scottish Barley 7.1 will be available from June for an RRP of £110 to select retailers in the UK only.

McEwan, who has been with Bruichladdich as master distiller since 2001, announced his retirement from the company earlier this week.

He will leave the group this summer following a 52-year tenure working in the Scotch whisky industry, but will continue acting as a consultant for the Islay distillery.