Octomore revives ‘greatest hits’ for oldest whisky yet
Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled two limited edition bottlings to celebrate the upcoming Fèis Ìle festival (23-31 May), including its oldest Octomore to date.
The two exclusive releases from the Islay-based distillery comprise a rare, one-off exclusive Port Charlotte single cask expression, and the super-heavily peated 15-year-old Octomore Polyphoinic.
Octomore Polyphonic is composed of multiple ‘iconic’ super-heavily peated expressions of the past that have been married with never-before-released spirit.
Head distiller Adam Hannett explained: “Octomore Polyphonic is a unique and complex expression which involves various components of our super-heavily peated spirit. We’ve selected iconic, cult releases of the past which have continued to age in cask beyond their original bottling – as well as rare and exceptional single casks which have never been bottled before. Think of it as a mix of some of Octomore’s ‘greatest hits’. And the final result is pretty spectacular.”
Octomore Polyphonic includes spirit from ‘legendary’ Octomore releases of the past, including Octomore 6.3, peated to 258 PPM (phenol parts per million), Octomore Masterclass 8.2, showcasing the ‘profound’ influence of quality wine and Amarone casks, and Octomore Masterclass 8.4, an experiment in virgin oak.
The release also includes Octomore spirit laid down in 2007. Matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels, it was the first Octomore spirit ever to be distilled using malted barley specifically grown at the eponymous Octomore Farm, two miles from the Rémy Cointreau-owned distillery.
Paying homage to festival releases of the past, Octomore Polyphonic also includes a component of Octomore Event Horizon, the distillery’s Fèis Ìle 2019 exclusive.
It also includes ‘extraordinary’ spirit from the distillery’s rare and exclusive inventory, with components from a 2005 first fill grenache single cask and a 2009 second-fill Sauternes single cask.
While famous for its intense peat levels, the exact PPM of Octomore Polyphonic is undisclosed due to its various component parts.
Octomore’s elongated, matte black bottle has also had a makeover, featuring a retro, neon blue visualisation of Octomore Farm inspired by 1980s remix albums, films and pixel video game graphics.
“We’ve never created anything quite like this,” continued Hannett. “Octomore Polyphonic plays with various peating levels, cask types and vintages, but the final spirit comes together in perfect harmony – wrapped up in Octomore’s unparallelled, earthy peat smoke.”
Bottled on Islay at 54.9% ABV, aromas of sweet cinder toffee, vanilla fudge and dark chocolate shavings are said to be immediate on the nose, while freshly baked pastry, golden syrup and ground coffee balance Octomore’s ‘inimitable’ peat smoke on the palate, with a pinch of sea salt offering a subtle reminder of the whisky’s island maturation.
With only 2,500 bottles available, Octomore Polyphonic is priced at £300 (US$396).
Rock’ndaal edition
The distillery’s second Fèis Ìle exclusive is the Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition, which is the first Port Charlotte single cask released to date.
The limited edition Port Charlotte spirit has been bottled at 19-years-old, and has spent its entire maturation life on Islay in a moscatel Sherry cask.
As a naturally sweet dessert wine, the influence of the moscatel cask is prominent on the palate, with candied fruits, brown sugar, and gentle toasted oak taking centre stage.
Malted to 40 PPM and bottled at 53.3% ABV, Port Charlotte’s signature barbecue peat smoke is balanced with the sweetness from the Sherry, leaving what is described as a clean and perfectly rounded dram.
Limited to 667 bottles, Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition is priced at £275 (US$363).
Bruichladdich Distillery will welcome whisky enthusiasts from around the world on Sunday 25 May 2025 as part of Islay’s annual Fèis Ìle celebrations.
Situated on the banks of Lochindaal, the aptly named Rock’ndaal festival will feature a lineup of live Scottish musical talent, including headliners Nathan Evans & The Saint Phnx Band. Revellers will also be able to enjoy a variety of local produce, The Botanist Gin cocktails, and a wide selection of distillery drams.
Hannett added: “Rock’ndaal is one of the highlights in the distillery calendar. It’s a huge celebration and brings together an eclectic mix of Scottish musical talent and genres, and I wanted to create a whisky that would reflect this.”
The last remaining tickets for Rock’ndaal are available to purchase online at festival.bruichladdich.com.
For those unable to unable to attend Rock’ndaal in person, Hannett’s coveted festival masterclass, as well as the festival’s musical performances, will be streamed live throughout the day.
Octomore Polyphonic and Port Charlotte Single Cask Rock’ndaal 2025 Edition will both be available to purchase at Rock’ndaal or online.
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