The second installment in Bruichladdichs Octomore Series 16, 16.2 takes the core Octomore blueprint and stretches it with bold cask influence. Like 16.1, it’s distilled from 100% Scottish mainland-grown Concerto barley malted to 101.4 ppm peat. However, for its maturation, it spends four years in Oloroso and Bordeaux wine casks, followed by a one-year finish in Madeira and Portuguese Moscatel casksa layering of wine cask character that adds pronounced fruit, sweetness, and complexity to the peated spirit.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep copper with rich reddish-amber tones.

Nose: Savory and vinousthink red fruit, damson plum, grape skins, and raisin mingled with subtle candied peel. Behind that, smoke emerges gently, with salty sea mist and nutty undertones.

Palate: Rich and lavish. The sweet wine casks infuse stewed figs, raisin, caramelized nuts, and prune, balanced by vibrant peat smoke and maritime salt. On the mid-palate, citrus zest (orange) and dark chocolate interplay with oak spice.

Finish: Medium to long, with lingering smoke, red wine reduction, and a touch of cocoa bitterness. The wine influence softens but stays present, allowing the peat to fade gradually into salty ash and dried fruit.

Distillery Character & Craft

Octomore is known for pushing peat boundariesand 16.2 continues the tradition. It maintains the high-ppm peat backbone (101.4 ppm) while introducing a more wine-driven maturation narrative. The use of Oloroso, Bordeaux, Madeira, and Moscatel casks deepens the flavor, highlighting how cask influence can elevate even intense peat. Bruichladdich positions 16.2 as an exploration of smoking red wine in whisky form.

Collectors Note

As part of the limited Octomore Series 16, 16.2 is a must-have for peat lovers who crave depth beyond raw smoke. Its complexity, layered cask treatment, and expressive wine character make it a standout among high-peat releases. For those comparing siblings in the series (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, eventual 16.4), this version often earns praise for its balance of smoke and vinous richness.

Technical Details

Barley: 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley, malted to 101.4 ppm peat

Cask Maturation: 4 years in Oloroso & Bordeaux wine casks, then 1-year finish in Madeira & Moscatel casks

Age: 5 Years (total maturation)

ABV: 58,1%

Filtration / Colouring: Non-chill filtered, natural colour (standard for Octomore releases) (implied by series practice)