Bruichladdich Octomore 13.3 750ml

Octomore 13.3 uses Islay-grown barley instead of the mainland Scottish barley behind 13.1 and 13.2, peated to 129.3 ppm and matured five years in a mix of first-fill ex-American whiskey casks and second-fill European oak from Rivesaltes and Ribera del Duero. Bottled at cask strength — 61.1% ABV, 122.2 proof — it's the highest-proof of the three 13-series releases, with a nose of smoke, dark fruit, and a faint wine-cask spice from the European oak. The palate carries char and brine alongside the fruit before a long, warming, smoky finish. A good pick for whisky drinkers who want to taste how terroir and cask variety change Octomore's usual formula.

How to drink Octomore 13.3

Water it down in small increments — at 61.1% ABV it's the strongest of the three 13-series bottlings, and a few drops go a long way toward unlocking the dark fruit and wine-cask spice. Neat works if you want the smoke at full intensity.

Whisky122.2 proof