Octomore is known for pushing peat levels far beyond standard peated Scotch whisky, with releases often carrying phenol measurements well above 100 PPM. Despite that intensity, the whisky is usually matured for only five years and bottled close to cask strength, giving Octomore a distinctive mix of powerful smoke, youthful energy, maritime character and surprising precision.
Each Octomore series explores different combinations of barley source, peat level and cask maturation. The .1 releases usually form the backbone of the series, while .2, .3 and .4 editions often focus on alternative casks, Islay-grown barley, single-farm provenance or more experimental maturation, making Octomore one of the most distinctive and closely followed names in modern Islay whisky.
The 8.3 release measured an astonishing 309ppm.